by Henry Pham
Just a little caution to those who want to watch this: due to its runtime, please plan your bathroom trips before or after watching, as this film is 156 minutes long and every minute is worth every penny. My advice is not eat or drink anything before the film starts, especially when the previews are playing. Project Hail Mary is based on the award-winning novel by Andy Weir, focusing on the science teacher and astronaut Dr. Ryland Grace, who awakens on a spacecraft with no memory of himself or his mission. He deduces he is the sole survivor of a crew sent to the Tau Ceti system to save Earth from the impending disaster. To do so, a reluctant Grace must rely on his vast array of scientific knowledge, sheer ingenuity, and human will, but he learns he is not alone: he is aided by an alien he dubs Rocky, who has come to save his world from the same fate.
Three-time Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson, La La Land, Barbie) stars as Dr. Ryland Grace, a science teacher and astronaut tasked by his superior, Eva Stratt (Oscar nominee Sandra Hüller, Anatomy of a Fall), to lead a mission to save humanity. Gosling anchors the film with raw warmth, emotion, and humor, demonstrating both determination, endurance, and versatility. Although he is recognized for his work across genres, his performances in science fiction stand out, including his roles in Blade Runner 2049 and First Man (both of which won Oscars for visual effects). Sandra Hüller and James Ortiz (the voice and lead puppeteer of Rocky, an alien character) provide strong support, adding depth and heart to the story.
Oscar-winning directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The LEGO Movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) helm the film, skillfully adapting the source material. The film elevates the science fiction genre through impressive visual effects, CGI, and sound design. Cinematography by Oscar winner Greig Fraser (Dune) is both engaging and visually striking, drawing favorable comparisons to a plethora of recent sci-fi films (such as First Man, Gravity, Interstellar, and The Martian). The screenplay, written by Drew Goddard (creator of the Cloverfield franchise), follows a classic sci-fi structure. However, the 156-minute runtime is an issue, possibly due to the filmmakers wanting to build more suspense and anticipation to keep the audience engaged as the plot-line and climax unfold. The Rocky character is very cute to watch, while some scenes where Gosling’s character forming a friendly relationship with it can be quite sad, emotional, and tear-jerking.
Project Hail Mary is more than a science-fiction movie; it’s a visual spectacle, thanks to Ryan Gosling’s performance and the direction from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. It is long, but it doesn’t feel long. While the story is full of wonderful atmosphere (no pun intended) and Ryan Gosling’s heartwarming performance is admirable, the visual and sound effects are the huge standouts to me. I hope this film will receive Oscar nominations, particularly for its achievement in visual effects and sound. It also gives me a similar feeling to watching either Gravity, Interstellar, or The Martian. I did not read the book, but this movie is a must-watch, especially in theaters for a full cinema experience. Or else, you will deeply regret missing out on this while the film is still rolling in theaters. If you don’t want to miss this, please go out to the movie theater and watch this, regardless of whether you read the book or not, or heard some marketing words from television, phone, or computer. It’s a movie that will keep you educated and at the edge of your seats.
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