No assembly RequireD

If you have been waiting for the next “hopecore” solo man in space story, then boy do I have the movie for you. ‘Interstellar,’ “The Martian,’ and ‘First Man,’ made it appear that a subgenre truly grew out of the 2010’s. Surprisingly enough these outings about men mostly alone in space would appear long before the days of Covid lockdowns and isolation. Did they know something we didn’t? Or are films about having to be launched into space to save a dying world or explore beyond our limits just always something that falls into our reality. No matter the reason it is a theme that people seem to flock to. If anything at this point one could call say it is an easy home run. ‘Interstellar’ dominates Letterboxd top fours and is constant debate amongst film twitter. Meanwhile ‘The Martian’ and ‘First Man’ both critically received have only grown in interest over the years. So almost ten years later it seems Hollywood has gone back to the well. PROJECT HAIL MARY, a long awaited adaptation of the Andy Weir novel of the same name, is the kind of movie that knows it hits all the right notes. Directed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord, is a film whose mission is simple, entertain and avoid all controversy. A film so tailormade for a crowd pleasing audience that you can practically feel executives behind a one way mirror taking notes on where the laughs hit and the tears flow. Does PROJECT HAIL MARY succeed in its mission? Without question, especially if you love your films as barebones as a college intro to screenwriting course. But its stunning to look at, holds a charming schtick from a reliable talent and has enough Marvel style humor to make it a true “co-worker” film disguised as prestige. But if the mission is successful and people are happy then I guess the world was saved.

A man wakes up alone in space. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) awakens orbiting space confused, scared and all alone. The only two people on his spacecraft with him are now deceased. With little memory Grace slowly puts the pieces together that he is a high school science teacher but more importantly a once renowned molecular biologist. With the sun dimming Grace recalls that he was sent on a mission to an infrared line connecting Earth’s sun to Venus to study a microorganism known as “Astrophage” which is destroying planets and will eventually lead to the demise of Earth within 30 years. Adapted by screenwriter Drew Goddard, the film seems heavily focused on keeping much of the book’s detailed plot with simple enough storytelling to bring a wide audience into its appeal. Told through flashbacks it is seen early on that PROJECT HAIL MARY is thankfully just as appropriately timed with its Earth sequences as it is for its lost in space storyline. Gosling a once hard hitting indie performer continues his train of charming but sometimes bumbling manchild that made Ken a megahit. This is the Gosling we have now and there seems like there are no signs of turning back. As Ryland his banter while amusing is nothing compared to the intensity that comes from his sincerity. As Ryland discovers more of the reality of his situation the pain and fear is a great driving force for the actor who can easily win over even the coldest of hearts.

But one thing PROJECT HAIL MARY wants us to know is that nobody can succeed alone. After a gripping first hour the film introduces us to a rock. While encountering another spaceship that appears far more advanced, Ryland meets its lone survivor, an Eridian species rock-like creature who Ryland dubs “Rocky.” While adapted straight from the source the film’s biggest lack of trust in its intensity seems to be in this cute stone like creature. Rocky (voiced by James Ortiz) without blinking an eye is reduced to adorable pet dog. While it is clear his species is far more intelligent than humans the film is more interested in a buddy comedy film that greatly succeeds in filling the film with humor while avoiding depth faster than a shooting star. It doesn’t help either that most of Rocky’s dialogue feels like it was written for a Guardians of the Galaxy movie where every moment of realization is followed by a quip so painfully unfunny you wonder if the “21 Jump Street” or “Spider-Verse” movies were just fever dreams. Or perhaps Drew Goddard has inserted enough of his worst tendencies and has disguised them behind a stellar production level. Greg Fraser’s cinematography is as striking as many have come to expect from the once “Dune” cameraman while Daniel Pemberton’s score is so thunderous and aggressively unsubtle that you can’t help but be swept up. Space movies may struggle to find their own distinct look but PROJECT HAIL MARY has enough stunning beauty to feel separated. Fraser doesn’t limit himself just to space exploration as its Earth sequences (with smaller aspect ratio) still holds a dreamlike feel as the visual lines are blurred the more Ryland’s anxiety of remembrance occurs. All this should be enough to distract from the film’s more “cutesy” antics but the writing of Rocky never rises above and only brings Gosling’s performance down.

PROJECT HAIL MARY also seems to be so rooted in hope that it also becomes a film that refuses to engage with its own obstacles. Its struggles on Earth before the launch is a hard hitting premise of humans learning to trust humans going against their nature. It is a fascinating observation that is constantly cut short. Ryland brought onto the team by government agent Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller) finds himself at the mercy of asking for help and learning that the other nations have already begun in their assistance. The film quietly plants the seed of American ignorance and selfishness but refuses to dig any deeper. Instead these moments have to come from Ryland working alongside other scientists and even an overtly curious secret service agent (Lionel Boyce). Its these moments that bring an inspiring hope making it all the more detrimental when its more than obvious that humans can help but our nature is to betray. To survive whatever the cost. Goddard’s script has no intentions on attempting these themes instead the film’s performers, and especially an underutilized Huller, does the heavy lifting. Huller herself gets the karaoke scene of a lifetime that also plays as the film’s greatest success in engaging with its darker elements that still hold onto hope in the face of extinction.

More than anything PROJECT HAIL MARY is easy watching, its entertainment is undisputed. Seeing Gosling bounce between heartache and comedic frustration is a joy to watch for most of the time. Hell we even get yet another Ryan Gosling fit that far too many people are going to try and copy. But that is also the everyday charm Gosling is able to have while looking nothing like an every day man. His ability to be an obtainable dream for everyone is part of the appeal and Ryland is the most charismatic scientist this side of Jeff Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm. But while watching the one man (and rock) show is the center piece it is those small moments of sincerity where the film strikes hardest. If hope is the main objective then a moment involving Ryland and a classroom full of scared students is the key. To look at the faces of the future and see fear but instead leave them with hope. To know that we must make the world better, if not for us then for them. PROJECT HAIL MARY is far too easy to fix or even strengthen Hollywood’s biggest issues. But if nothing else maybe some young hopeful movie watcher will see this and want to explore beyond the unknown.

B-

PROJECT HAIL MARY WILL BE RELEASED IN THEATERS ON MARCH 20TH FROM MGM AND AMAZON STUDIOS.