Richard BodinI have to admit, I never read Andy Weir’s original novel. So I wasn’t too sure about what to expect when sitting in the theatre to watch the new Ryan Gosling’s flick Project Hail Mary. All I knew was what the trailer would let out, and the few lines of synopsis on IMDB. I like a good sci-fi movie, when it is well made, so I went to see it.
The movie is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller who haven’t exactly made their mark in this genre before. The pair previously directed a few comedies and animated movies: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Lego Movie, or 22 Jump Street. Nothing particularly bad, but nothing especially memorable either. But at least they could count on good story from Andy Weir‘s book and a charismatic Ryan Gosling as the lead actor.
A Dimming Sun
The story is set in a nearby future where an alien organism is discovered navigating between Venus and the Sun, feeding off the star. The implications are grim: as the Sun begins to dim, Earth faces a drop in temperature of 15°C within thirty years, threatening resources and global stability. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a once promising molecular biologist who became a school teacher, is recruited to be part of an international team of expert scientists in an effort to find a solution.
It turns out that this alien organism, that they call “Astrophage”, had been contaminating all the star systems around. And all the stars are dimming. All, but one. An international mission is launched to reach that lone exception and uncover why it has been spared. Ryland Grace winds up being sent on the mission, and as he wakes from an induced coma after a few years of travel at light-speed, he finds himself alone to carry the mission as the rest of the crew has died.
But upon arrival, he discovers that he is not alone. Another ship is there, from another star system, on a similar mission. Grace and the other creature —a strange rocky spider which he names Rocky— make contact, and develop a way of communicating. Together, they will try to combine their effort to save both their home worlds.
A Common Purpose
In times like today, it is hard to conceive a world where every country on Earth act as one to solve a common threat like, I dunno: Global Warming for instance. Project Hail Mary envisions this moment where all governments leave their differences aside and put their resources in common to solve this greater issue. One can almost see the premises of Star Trek’s Federation early days.
Then, when Grace meets Rocky, even though there is fear at first, both take the time to understand each other rather than compete or annihilate one another. They take the time to break the communication barrier, using every tool in the box including dance and art. The sole focus here is the common threat to the miracle of life on two distant planets. It is a beautiful notion. One that is quite refreshing.
An Unlikely Duo
The interaction between Rocky and Grace is fantastic, and probably the central piece of the movie. One thing I found out after seeing the movie is that Rocky was in fact enacted by a puppet led —and voiced—by puppeteer James Ortiz. It made total sense. I could feel a palpable chemistry between the two characters. I mean, no doubt that Ryan Gosling is an excellent actor, but I doubt that playing on your own in front of a green screen would be as convincing. Rocky is such a touching creature, extraordinarily expressive despite the fact that it has no face to express emotions.
A Silent Spectacle
One thing that marked me was the pace. Recent movies, all across genres really, usually share a common trait. The plot will unfold in a manner that won’t leave the viewer much of a break. But Project Hail Mary takes the time. The interaction between characters leaves space for emotions to sink in, or let the silent moments matter as much.
The scenes in space are sometimes reminiscent of the contemplative shots of Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. The ships move slowly, and gracefully. There is no spectacular explosion of light or sound or anything to highlight speed or any sort of propulsion. But there is true spectacle of colours filling the whole wide screen when it comes to observing the atmosphere of a planet. It is simply beautiful to watch.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Project Hail Mary is more than just another sci-fi movie. Beyond its striking visuals and carefully crafted soundtrack, it tells a story of hope and cooperation that resonates strongly in today’s context. Even in the vast emptiness of space, in moments of isolation and helplessness, it suggests that connection is still possible.
I wasn’t expecting much, given Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s past work, but I was pleasantly surprised. With the help of Ryan Gosling and James Ortiz, they deliver a film that is both thoughtful and genuinely moving—a rare success in modern sci-fi.
