The Martian

Grade: B+

Ridley Scott’s new film The Martian isn’t the first time people have spent lots of money, time, and energy to try and save Matt Damon. This isn’t even the first time Matt Damon needed to be saved from space. Like Apollo 13, I found The Martian to be as strong a space movie as I have seen. I admired how we didn’t get beaten over the head with endless conversations about sciency stuff. Even at 2 hours and 24 minutes, it remained engaging, fun, funny, touching, and entertaining. I never once felt compelled to check my watch, crack my knuckles, or leave the theatre to pee. I am reminded of an off-topic post I saw on the Cigar Aficionado message board (which I frequented in the early 2000’s). The topic was “Favorite Ridley Scott Movie.” The overwhelming majority of those guys named Blade Runner and Gladiator, then I chimed in with a title that nobody else mentioned. I’d say that with The Martian, we now have my favorite Ridley Scott movie since Thelma and Louise. Grade: B+