(Some thoughts on Project Hail Mary)
So, my roommate and I went to see the new Project Hail Mary movie yesterday. I'll admit, when I first saw a trailer for this months ago, I was tempted to wait until it came out on streaming to watch. As much as I love sci-fi movies, they almost always disappoint me on release. With a few notable exceptions (such as Arrival) most sci-fi movies I've watched in this past decade have just left me feeling a bit hollow. The thing that ended up convincing me to go watch it on opening weekend was finding out that it's based on an Andy Weir book. He wrote the book they based The Martian on, and I love that movie, so it seemed like a safer bet now.
Boy, am I glad I went to see this on opening weekend.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that this movie changed my life. I've been dealing with my neurodivergent brain long enough to know the makings of a special interest when I see one. This movie has rewired my brain.
Where to even begin? This movie is gorgeous. And I mean that in every sense. From top to bottom, every single piece that makes up this movie is a beautiful work of art. The cinematography, directing, music, acting, writing, editing, special effects, practical effects, set design, costumes, puppeteering... there is not a single aspect of this movie that didn't feel like it had 110% effort poured into it from its corresponding department. Everyone did their jobs with such dedication and passion, and it shows.
Project Hail Mary is about a middle school science teacher who is sent into space as humanity's last hope of saving our dying sun. Except it's not, not really. It is actually about a lonely individual meeting an alien and, despite being from different species and cultures and speaking separate languages, forming such a strong bond of friendship that they will literally die for each other. It is about someone who believed themselves to be incapable of bravery then discovering that they had it in them all along, they just needed "someone to be brave for". It is about humanity being beautiful despite our flaws and holding onto hope for our futures despite all odds against us. It is about the beauty of the universe and appreciating every part of this world of ours. Project Hail Mary is about humanity, connection, friendship, hope, space, discovery, beauty, crossing cultural boundaries, self-sacrifice, bravery, finding where you belong, and so much more.
Okay, my brain is jumping all over the place. Let's start with talking about the story. This movie wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be. And I mean that in the best way possible. I figured a movie about the sun dying and a desperate search for an answer would be more bleak. Instead, we got this gorgeous story that is filled with so much hope and life. It follows Dr. Ryland Grace -- a middle school science teacher with a PhD in molecular biology -- as he wakes up on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he's there. We then follow his journey as he slowly regains his memories and puts together the pieces of the puzzle that leads him to realize he is humanity's last hope against an extinction level event. Then an alien that looks like a spider-shaped rock tumbles into his ship in a hamster ball and everything gets wild lol.
The friendship between Rocky and Grace is the best. I'm not used to seeing a friendship treated this way in a movie. Where it's centered in the main character's life and held in just as high regard and importance by the writers as when they write about any other kind of relationship (romantic, familial, etc.). I appreciate when writers acknowledge that a friendship is capable of being as strong and intense as we'll let it be. Rocky and Grace can't even speak to each other when they first meet and yet become so devoted to each other that they will both give up everything for the other. Best depiction of friendship I have ever seen in a movie, and it's between a human and a rock spider.
I need a moment to mention the music as well. Daniel Pemberton scored this movie and he killed it. I have rarely ever noticed the soundtrack of a movie like this when watching it for the first time. Usually, I'm too absorbed in the story the first time around. But this soundtrack is so intrinsically tied to the story and the characters and their journey that you can't help but notice it. Can't help but feel it as it takes you on the journey. It's such a beautiful and moving soundtrack. This will be my first time pre-ordering a soundtrack CD in my life.
Shoutout to the cinematography and editing teams as well. Wow, this movie is beautiful to look at. There is not a single wasted shot in this whole two and a half hour movie. Every single frame is pretty to look at. There is liberal use of circular framing, rotating angles, and using the ship's cameras to view the characters. It all ties together to give the feeling of being right there in the story. The movie also switches aspect ratios depending on whether we're in the present or viewing one of Grace's flashbacks/memories. Oh, and I did some behind-the-scenes research afterwards because the film grain looked so good and found out that they actually printed it to film and redigitized it! They put so much work into this movie and I appreciate every ounce of that effort.
Also need to acknowledge Ryan Gosling's acting talents here. He brought the main character to life in a way that I don't think any other actor could have. Grace is so instantly relatable. It is the only time I have ever watched a sci-fi movie and genuinely saw myself in the main hero. Mostly because Grace isn't a typical sci-fi hero. He's just a very regular guy who gets stuck in a terrifying situation and does what he can to sort it out. He's a socially awkward nerd, he's clumsy, he likes skittles, he's a friendly guy who struggles to make connections, he loves science and gets sick on elevators, he cries as a stress response. Grace is a mess in the best way possible. And Ryan Gosling absolutely kills his performance. He not only makes Grace's struggles and journey hit so emotionally, but he also manages to have such perfect chemistry with Rocky that we never question the friendship the whole movie hinges on, despite the other half of that friendship being a puppet.
I could honestly go on forever, but I'm tired. Also, my brain feels on fire and I don't think I can articulate my thoughts at all right now lol. Suffice to say that this movie was an experience and I don't think my life is going to be the same after this.
Also, if Project Hail Mary doesn't win all the awards at the Oscars next year, I'm gonna riot.
Background Image by Valentin Salja