Review: ‘Project Hail Mary’ is the ideal film to lift audiences’ spirits
The newest science fiction adaptation provides an enjoyable and light-hearted experience for every viewer
By BELLA PETERSON — arts@theaggie.org
“Project Hail Mary,” which premiered on March 20, was an instant success with both critics and the box office. Grossing $177 million after 11 days in theatres, the newest Ryan Gosling project has proved to exceed expectations.
“Project Hail Mary” is an adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2021 novel of the same name; similarly to the film’s reception, the overall feedback was positive. The plot follows an amnestic Ryland Grace, a former biologist and current school teacher, on his journey to save Earth.
This is a common narrative found in most science fiction films — excluding the amnesia aspect — that often poses the philosophical questions of humanity’s purpose and what can be sacrificed for survival.
The film captures the attention of its audience with ease through sweeping, masterful cinematography and visuals of outer space and alien spaceships. Playing its own active role throughout the story, the scenery is a key aspect of the film, allowing viewers to take in something truly stunning.
Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace is entertaining, his portrayal chock-full of quips and humorous one-liners that keep the audience from ever getting bored. Beyond the comedy is a sincere performance that creates a very real connection between him and viewers, as Grace finds himself in increasingly vulnerable situations.
In the story’s present-day timeline, Grace is the singular human left on the Project Hail Mary ship sent into space to save the world from an extraterrestrial material that is eating away at the sun’s energy.
This means that Gosling is not only the film’s leading actor, but for the majority of the film, the only one. While this presents a unique load of responsibility on Gosling’s part to carry the brunt of the story on his own, it’s a duty he commendably accomplishes from start to finish.
One of the few other main characters in the story is Rocky, an alien also in search of a way to save his own planet from being destroyed by the mysterious cosmic substance referred to as “astrophage.”
By far, the highlight of the film is the relationship viewers witness between Rocky and Grace — two characters isolated from their homes who forge a deep connection despite their barriers in understanding one another.
The two work together to learn each other’s languages in order to team up and hopefully accomplish their shared mission. The heartfelt bond created between the two brings about a much needed sense of hope in audience members.
The film efficiently builds emotional context by incorporating moments from the past into Grace’s present journey on the ship. Viewers are able to uncover the truth of Grace’s mission right alongside him, as if they are also a part of his journey.
The comedic spirit of the film can feel a bit much at times, but with the amount of heart the story provides right alongside each quip, it certainly becomes worth it.
So much of Rocky’s character is reflected in the talented and hilariously deadpan voice work of James Ortiz, creating a personality that blends naturally with Gosling’s own aptitude.
The film’s soundtrack, which artfully matches the essence of the story, is just as enjoyable. The Beatles’ “Two of Us” perfectly encapsulates the journey of Rocky and Grace; “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles, which is sung by one of the film’s key figures right before the Project Hail Mary takes off to space, communicates a sense of naive optimism to the rest of the characters.
A small complaint that can be made regarding the adaptation is the lack of scientific jargon, which was heavily present in the novel. Despite its threat to authenticity, there’s an argument that regular audiences shouldn’t have to trudge through a hefty amount of scientific language to understand the plot.
The stakes are clear and felt throughout the progression of events that unfold as the story goes on; however, some moments may have benefitted from being further fleshed out.
For example, the complex character: Eva Stratt, played by the Academy Award-nominated actress Sandra Hüller, feels unfulfilled in her writing. With the prominent plot focus on Rocky and Grace’s mission, it’s no surprise her character arc would take a back seat.
When it comes to the science fiction genre, there’s certainly no shortage of film options to choose from; even so, “Project Hail Mary” has something to offer for every kind of film enthusiast. Whether it be comedic moments that make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts or heart-wrenching scenes shared between two lonesome characters in search of any kind of hope they may be able to find, “Project Hail Mary” cements itself as one of the latest greats in its genre.
Written by: Bella Peterson — arts@theaggie.org