Rating of
3.5/4
This Long Shot Pays Off
Chris Kavan - wrote on 03/27/26
When the worst thing I can think to say about Project Hail Mary is "Ryan Gosling, why the hell do you wear your glasses like that?" - I guess it's doing almost everything right.
I loved The Martian - one of my favorite sci-fi/comedy/drama films of the post 2000 period - and when I heard author Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary was going to be made into a film, my expectations were through the roof. I have to say, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller do just as well as Ridley Scott in adapting the novel to the big screen and getting Ryan Gosling on board is just the feather in this cap.
The film follows Gosling's Ryland Grace, a disgraced scientist-turned middle school teacher who was laughed out of the big leagues by suggesting life can evolve without water. But when a threat rises in the form of new lifeform dubbed the Astrophage - one that is bleeding the sun dry - project leader Eva Stratt (a super serious Sandra Hüller) - seeks out Grace to figure out what this new lifeform is all about. It is not long before he makes a major discovery and it officially given all-access top-secret clearance about Project Hail Mary. It seems it's not just the Earth's sun - but almost every other galaxy-wide sun that is being targeted. That is, except for one - Tau Ceti, which has somehow escaped the Astrophage scourge. The plan is to send an interstellar ship - powered by the Astrophage itself - to the system and hopefully figure out why the sun is unaffected. This is a one-way trip, however, and only probes will be sent back with the three on board (pilot, engineer, scientist) left to die. Most of this story is told in flashbacks as the film starts with Grace waking up - the only survivor on the ship and with temporary amnesia to boot. As he slowly regains his memory and comes to terms with what he must do - he realizes he's not alone in his endeavor as he makes contact and soon learns to communicate with another alien lifeform he dubs "Rocky". Together this dynamic duo must work together in order to save both their planets from dying.
The film shares a lot in common with The Martian - a lone astronaut doing everything to survive and with the added pressure of, you know, saving humanity. It also has a good sense of humor but also plenty of drama. There is some action, a lot of reflection and a fine score from Daniel Pemberton. It manages to balance all these emotions well and gets even better when Rocky finds his "voice" (James Ortiz). While it may not be quite as deep as an Interstellar, it's still plenty entertaining and a gem on the big screen.
While the film doesn't adhere 100% to the book (but what adaptation ever does?) - the changes it makes doesn't detract from the story and, in terms of the ending, perhaps even improves on things. From fun touches like a Meryl Streep voice cameo to a Close Encounters reference, the film knows how to add little things to stand out. Gosling continues to impress with the roles he chooses and Lord and Miller continue their mostly hot streak as well. A perfect movie to shake off those winter blues as we step into spring.
