PROJECT HAIL MARY is everything you want in a movie— it is entertaining, clever, funny, hopeful, and overflowing in heart. It is also a spotlight performance for Ryan Gosling, who carries the majority of the film all by himself, with nothing more than his infinite charisma. Admittedly, I was a bit surprised by just how much of a hard science fiction movie this is; having not read the book, I was expecting it to be more in the quasi-realistic sci-fi genre, similar to THE MARTIAN. But even as the film got more and more “out there” (literally and figuratively), I found myself getting more and more invested.
Based on the best-selling novel from Andy Weir, PROJECT HAIL MARY takes place in the near-future, where the sun is dying due to its energy being consumed by microorganisms known as astrophage. In 30 years, scientists assess the dimming sun will create a global cooling, resulting in millions of people dying; almost certainly, there will be a battle for resources, risking widespread war and the end of civilization as we know it. In a last-ditch “hail Mary” plan, governments from around the world join together to try one last operation to try to save the sun.
They are especially drawn to Dr. Ryland Grace (Gosling), a biologist that once specialized in microorganisms and wasn’t afraid to go against the grain in his research. Grace was ostracized from the scientific community due to his beliefs and is now teaching science to young kids. But when the federal government comes knocking asking him to study what may stop the astrophage, Grace jumps back into the mix, quickly becoming a key member of the team and even becomes an astronaut himself. Unfortunately, the space mission does not go according to plan, and Grace is left alone on the ship, with the weight of saving the world on his shoulders. But thankfully, he isn’t as alone as he thought. He befriends an alien creature named Rocky (voiced and puppeteered James Ortiz) and the two begin working together to save both of their worlds.
Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have done something really special with this film. I cannot begin to explain how much it is a fete for Hollywood and old-school filmmaking. When you first watch the movie you are going to think it is teeming with CGI, and there were green screens galore. But would you be surprised to find out that a lot of it was made with practical sets and that Rocky was primarily a live-action puppet, not a tennis ball on a stick? This decision was critical to making the action feel realistic. I never thought I would be so emotionally invested in a faceless, spider-shaped rock alien, but by the end of the film, I was ready to commandeer a spaceship to protect Rocky at all costs… and I think a lot of that is a testament to the decision to shoot the scenes practically whenever possible, as well as a phenomenal performance from voice actor/puppeteer James Ortiz.
This film is completely dependent on a strong lead performance, from an actor that is able to be funny, charming, smart, and relatable. And Ryan Gosling absolutely knocks it out of the park. This is my favorite performance of his since LA LA LAND and easily one of the best of his career. So much of the film is dependent on Gosling’s ability to make the audience believe that he is Earth’s only hope at salvation, and still sympathize with his discomfort with the enormous weight that has been put on his shoulders. It takes a special actor to have chemistry with a pile of rocks, but Gosling also finds a way to make the core friendship in the film the driving force of the movie. It presents a powerful message on the power of camaraderie and how it transcends cultures, languages, and solar systems.
PROJECT HAIL MARY has all of the makings to be a science fiction classic, with enough compassion and hope to power any spaceship. It is a feel-good, heartwarming film I feel extremely confident recommending to anyone, no matter your favorite cinematic genre. This is definitely one to see on the big screen, so you can take in the beauty of the otherworldly environment Lord and Miller have created. Just make sure to bring some tissues, because this may get you in your feelings, like it did to me.
My Review: A
