'Project Hail Mary' Review: A Miraculous Sci-Fi Adventure
Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are back at it again, this time adapting Andy Weir’s beloved novel Project Hail Mary, delivering a miraculously well-made sci-fi adventure that is as ceaselessly entertaining as it is achingly hopeful.
‘Project Hail Mary’ centers on Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a middle school science teacher who wakes up in space, unable to remember how he got there or why he’s there to begin with. As his fractured memory slowly returns, he soon realizes he’s humanity’s last hope in saving their planet from a mysterious substance that is slowly killing the sun. Fortunately, he crosses paths with an alien who’s looking to do the same for his own planet, the two forming a budding friendship as they attempt to save their respective homes.
Andy Weir’s novel is no easy task to bring to the silver screen, let alone adapt into an entertaining blockbuster film, but writer Drew Goddard, who deftly adapted Weir’s ‘The Martian’, was more than up to the task yet again. The combination of Goddard and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller proves to be a dream team here, the former’s script faithfully adapting the source material with thoughtful changes and acceptable omissions while the latter’s direction is confident, assured, and full of nerdy, sci-fi gusto. Fortunately, the character of Ryland Grace was expertly cast as well with Gosling, an actor whose versatility seems to know no bounds.
Gosling has to carry this sci-fi adventure on his shoulders essentially, mainly sharing the screen with the wonderfully realized and puppeted alien named Rocky, something he’s able to do so with effortless ease. Gosling is the rare performer who can gracefully bounce back and forth between comedy and drama, his comedic timing impeccable and his dramatic gravitas never in question. These talents are put to terrific use here, the actor delivering one of his best performances to date. He’s able to make Grace instantly likable, imbuing the science teacher turned astronaut with a dorky charm and earnestness that makes him a protagonist that’s easy to become emotionally invested in. Sandra Huller, who made a sizable splash with her compelling performance in ‘Anatomy of a Fall’, is also a delight in a supporting role as Eva Stratt, the head of the Hail Mary project who recruits Grace. Their scenes together are a treat, not only showcasing considerable chemistry, but an offbeat and heartwarming rapport. It also doesn’t hurt that Grace gets to share the screen with one of the most wonderfully realized alien characters in quite some time.
Rocky nearly walks away with the film, brought to life by incredible puppetry that never calls his authenticity into question. By far and away, the highlight of the film is the core relationship between the charming alien and Grace as the two must learn to communicate with one another and work together to save their planets. Gosling is clearly having the time of his life interacting with his extraterrestrial friend, not only aiding in making their friendship feel wholly authentic and lived-in, but allowing their relationship to feel like a fantastic hybrid of a best buddy and married couple dynamic. Their scenes together not only provide plenty of laughs and nerdy bliss, but their relationship, like in Weir’s phenomenal novel, becomes the beating heart of the film that sneaks up on the viewer. The combination of movie magic and Gosling’s deeply committed performance allows this film to stay light and breezy on its feet without shortchanging the film’s more emotional moments.
It’s also quite difficult not to completely drool over cinematographer Greig Fraser’s sumptuous and wholly immersive visuals. After showing his prowess on films like ‘Dune’ and ‘The Batman’, he continues to be one of the most exciting visual auteurs working today, shifting aspect ratios here to differentiate between scenes on Earth and in space. The visuals of the latter are breathtaking, not only looking like loving homages to sci-fi classics of the past, but also feeling wholly singular and timeless as well. There are sequences, especially in the IMAX format, that looked jaw-droppingly beautiful, utilizing every available inch of the screen for maximum immersion. It’s easily the most gorgeous looking film of the year so far, a throne it likely won’t vacate any time soon.
However, it’s Goddard’s script that helps this space adventure feel grounded and lively. Not only was he able to keep the spirit and tone of Weir’s story intact, but his changes to the source material don’t diminish its impact and only help in streamlining the story so the film doesn’t feel bloated or overextended. While some fans of the novel may have their issues or nitpicks, general audiences will still get a completely satisfying theatrical experience that does his story justice and carries the same humor and emotional heft. Lord and Miller have become masters of balancing tone and that is still on display here, ensuring Goddard’s script soars as they steer this ship with precision and old fashioned bravura.
‘Project Hail Mary’ plays like a sci-fi power ballad, hitting all the right notes as it makes the audience want to stand up and cheer when the credits roll. This story may be literally out of this world, but it is deeply rooted in humanity. It’s funny, heartfelt, visually dazzling, incredibly entertaining and the kind of hopeful sci-fi film that isn’t made nearly enough. This is a film that yearns to be seen on the biggest screen possible and is destined to become a new sci-fi classic, a statement that may sound grandiose or like hyperbole but is well-founded. Simply put, it’s hard to remember when saving the world was this much fun.