If you have seen the trailer for Project Hail Mary, it is no surprise or spoiler that Earth is in trouble. There is an urgent need to address what is causing an effect on our planet. There is a committee of leaders searching for the right action to take to save planet Earth, but to no avail. The consensus is to send a middle school science teacher, Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) into outer space. Grace has a molecular biology degree that makes him critically important to the mission yet has no training as an astronaut and refuses to accept the “offer” for the job. He soon finds out that this is not an offer, and one he cannot refuse.
The Sci – Fi film is a drama with humor and the interaction Grace has with an extra terrestrial is one that be engaging. The use of the word “alien” to describe the extraterrestrial conjures up images of what has been seen in many films, especially the 1979 film titled Alien that is Sci -Fi and horror. I am pleased it did not go into the horror genre. I viewed the film at an advanced screening and looking forward to seeing it again during opening weekend.
Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film is a space adventure based on an adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2021 novel by writer Drew Goddard. Weir also authored “The Martian.” Grace is one of two characters trying to save the world they know. Watching Gosling out in space alone is not too foreign to us after the Covid experience. It is while he is out in space that he meets the other character from a different planet. The scenes of the two meeting one another and learning about each other are humorous and heartwarming. It is great to see they decide to work together for the good of both their worlds, instead of being divisive. The relationship between Grace and his extraterrestrial friend Rocky (voiced by James Ortiz) will appeal to the audience. Rocky is from the race of Eridians. Of course, Gosling is appealing but he wears glasses in the film and has several scenes in the film when he looks just like any other human caveman, or someone coming to from a very deep sleep. No more spoilers than this. Find out more with the use of clever flashbacks too.
Project Hail Mary is rated PG-13 and arrives in theaters on March 20th. Run time: 156 minutes.
Source: Amazon MGM Studios
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