I finally had the chance to see “Project Hail Mary” – I waited to read this review until after I had seen it. I love your review – it is spot on, with one exception. I would disagree with the film being Spielbergian, for if it were a Spielberg film, it would have been excessively mawkish, Gosling’s character would have had a wife (white, slim, and earnest, with many shots of her looking worried but brave) and a generic Hollywood child (probably blond) waiting for him back home, and the score would have been insufferably twee and used excessively to prompt our emotional responses at every moment rather than letting the cinematography and acting speak for itself (the score for “Project Hail Mary” was outstanding, and used perfectly). You also noted that “Project Hail Mary” was “smart without feeling preachy or condescending” – has Spielberg ever made a film, aside from Jaws, that wasn’t preachy or condescending? I loved “Project Hail Mary” for all of the reasons you stated, but possibly mostly because it was not the kind of film Spielberg would make with the same material.
We waited until the 11th to go -- and I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment--particularly the comments about "Spielbergian" effects/affects.
Sonny got the movie, and didn't shortchange it in his review, but I don't read reviews until AFTER I've seen the movie. Went in clean--hadn't read the book, and as I don't do TV I missed all the ads.
Fabulous experience, and while I may have been huffing the hopium for waaaaaay to long, it was nice to see a first-class film with an OPTIMISTIC message! If it's still showing in IMAX, I would gladly see it again!
All hail Andy Weir, Drew Goddard (great name for a dude who's in Sci-Fi!), Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, and Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, and James Ortiz! Hail!
I love that movie -- but even it suffers from everything that annoys me about Spielberg's movies: the excessive use of the score (I sometimes think no one can break wind in a Spielberg movie without it being accompanied by a full orchestral swell), especially as the score in a Spielberg film seems to be used to cover for the fact that Spielberg doesn't trust his actors, writers, and/or filmmaking enough to convey emotion without the score; the general mawkishness; and yes, the simplistic preachiness. "Close Encounters" is one of my favorite Spielberg films, but all of his films suffer from those flaws. The older I get (and I of of an age were I grew up with Spielberg's films), the more these of his filmmaking tics cause me to roll my eyes. But as the kids say (or used to say), YMMV. It works for many, just not for me.
I am late to this but finally got to see PHM today. It is hands down my favorite thing I've seen in a theater in at least 5 years. This is why we go to the movies indeed.
Loved the movie! It’s funny, emotionally involving, and at times, very suspenseful. I almost didn’t want to see it because it is long; but, when watching it, time flies.
I've only read the book, but the story isn't just a paean to the human spirit, it's a paean to being open to the value/wisdom of others who on the surface seem alien. Not a bad message for this moment.
I have waited for Project Hail Mary to come out in film version, I was so taken by the book by Andy Weir. Full disclosure, I am a sci-fi enthusiast. So I anxiously await the film's opening. If it's close to the book, bravo. For those who can't wait and haven't read the book (I highly recommend listening to the audio book version), I suggest you do. I imagine it will make seeing the film that more sweet and enjoyable. It truly answers the question some ask themselves: could I ever envision myself leaving my home country? Nay, leave my home planet to live and thrive in another world completely?!! Great review, Sonny!
Read part of your review and decided I’d go to the 5:25 show today! Then discovered it didn’t actually open yet. But I will go! I have not been to the theater for YEARS because I have a) a disability and b) an 85 inch OLED with a great sound system at home. So you done good, Sonny. You got me out of the house and helped save cinema!
I thought from the ad that this looked like a crowd pleaser. The Spielberg comparison is no doubt apt (not having seen the movie myself) but I remember when E.T. premiered. I actually got to go to a sneak preview and the buzz afterwards was incredible. At the regular release lines were out the door and around the block for every showing.
Sonny might need to add another Correction to his review. Unless they changed it for the movie, in the book, Ryland Grace is not a high school teacher. He is a junior high science teacher. And in the book, his students act like junior high age kids, & Ryland is an expert at getting them focused on science.
Not reading review beyond the “pop masterpiece” line because I see the Amazon Prime special access screening Monday and your review noted spoilers. However, super excited. I still think Lord & Miller would have made the Solo we needed.
omg I can't wait. read it and listened to the audio book, both excellent. I LOVED how they did Rocky in the audiobook, glad to hear the movie rendition is even better!!
I was just gushing to an author about the genius of the Rocky tactic in the audiobook—and it was really interesting to hear the voice evolve during the course of it.
Speaking of the audiobook: it is a MASTERPIECE. Every so often there’s a matchup between narrator and book which elevates both, and this is a perfect example of that symbiosis making a whole new work of art!
I finally had the chance to see “Project Hail Mary” – I waited to read this review until after I had seen it. I love your review – it is spot on, with one exception. I would disagree with the film being Spielbergian, for if it were a Spielberg film, it would have been excessively mawkish, Gosling’s character would have had a wife (white, slim, and earnest, with many shots of her looking worried but brave) and a generic Hollywood child (probably blond) waiting for him back home, and the score would have been insufferably twee and used excessively to prompt our emotional responses at every moment rather than letting the cinematography and acting speak for itself (the score for “Project Hail Mary” was outstanding, and used perfectly). You also noted that “Project Hail Mary” was “smart without feeling preachy or condescending” – has Spielberg ever made a film, aside from Jaws, that wasn’t preachy or condescending? I loved “Project Hail Mary” for all of the reasons you stated, but possibly mostly because it was not the kind of film Spielberg would make with the same material.
Doug,
We waited until the 11th to go -- and I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment--particularly the comments about "Spielbergian" effects/affects.
Sonny got the movie, and didn't shortchange it in his review, but I don't read reviews until AFTER I've seen the movie. Went in clean--hadn't read the book, and as I don't do TV I missed all the ads.
Fabulous experience, and while I may have been huffing the hopium for waaaaaay to long, it was nice to see a first-class film with an OPTIMISTIC message! If it's still showing in IMAX, I would gladly see it again!
All hail Andy Weir, Drew Goddard (great name for a dude who's in Sci-Fi!), Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, and Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, and James Ortiz! Hail!
Steven Spielberg? The guy who made the movie about the man who leaves his family to travel into space and hang out with aliens?
I love that movie -- but even it suffers from everything that annoys me about Spielberg's movies: the excessive use of the score (I sometimes think no one can break wind in a Spielberg movie without it being accompanied by a full orchestral swell), especially as the score in a Spielberg film seems to be used to cover for the fact that Spielberg doesn't trust his actors, writers, and/or filmmaking enough to convey emotion without the score; the general mawkishness; and yes, the simplistic preachiness. "Close Encounters" is one of my favorite Spielberg films, but all of his films suffer from those flaws. The older I get (and I of of an age were I grew up with Spielberg's films), the more these of his filmmaking tics cause me to roll my eyes. But as the kids say (or used to say), YMMV. It works for many, just not for me.
I am late to this but finally got to see PHM today. It is hands down my favorite thing I've seen in a theater in at least 5 years. This is why we go to the movies indeed.
It’s great. Too many endings, but they all work. Go see it
Loved the movie! It’s funny, emotionally involving, and at times, very suspenseful. I almost didn’t want to see it because it is long; but, when watching it, time flies.
Saw it last night. Your review is spot-on. And I remain convinced that Lord & Miller would have made a Solo movie that would have actually been funny.
Just finished rereading the book last night. It’s so good. Haven’t been to a movie theater in years but will definitely try to see this one.
Just saw an early showing on 70mm IMAX. Amazing. Loved Rocky.
I've only read the book, but the story isn't just a paean to the human spirit, it's a paean to being open to the value/wisdom of others who on the surface seem alien. Not a bad message for this moment.
I have waited for Project Hail Mary to come out in film version, I was so taken by the book by Andy Weir. Full disclosure, I am a sci-fi enthusiast. So I anxiously await the film's opening. If it's close to the book, bravo. For those who can't wait and haven't read the book (I highly recommend listening to the audio book version), I suggest you do. I imagine it will make seeing the film that more sweet and enjoyable. It truly answers the question some ask themselves: could I ever envision myself leaving my home country? Nay, leave my home planet to live and thrive in another world completely?!! Great review, Sonny!
Read part of your review and decided I’d go to the 5:25 show today! Then discovered it didn’t actually open yet. But I will go! I have not been to the theater for YEARS because I have a) a disability and b) an 85 inch OLED with a great sound system at home. So you done good, Sonny. You got me out of the house and helped save cinema!
I thought from the ad that this looked like a crowd pleaser. The Spielberg comparison is no doubt apt (not having seen the movie myself) but I remember when E.T. premiered. I actually got to go to a sneak preview and the buzz afterwards was incredible. At the regular release lines were out the door and around the block for every showing.
Sonny might need to add another Correction to his review. Unless they changed it for the movie, in the book, Ryland Grace is not a high school teacher. He is a junior high science teacher. And in the book, his students act like junior high age kids, & Ryland is an expert at getting them focused on science.
Not reading review beyond the “pop masterpiece” line because I see the Amazon Prime special access screening Monday and your review noted spoilers. However, super excited. I still think Lord & Miller would have made the Solo we needed.
omg I can't wait. read it and listened to the audio book, both excellent. I LOVED how they did Rocky in the audiobook, glad to hear the movie rendition is even better!!
I was just gushing to an author about the genius of the Rocky tactic in the audiobook—and it was really interesting to hear the voice evolve during the course of it.
Speaking of the audiobook: it is a MASTERPIECE. Every so often there’s a matchup between narrator and book which elevates both, and this is a perfect example of that symbiosis making a whole new work of art!
I loved, loved the book and highly recommend it to anyone. I can't wait to see the movie.
Maybe the movie is good, after the Martian the book was —- he ran out of science.