PROJECT HAIL MARY - - A Long Shot That Connects

Review by Adam Donato

Project Hail Mary is an adaptation of the science fiction book from Andy Weir, who also wrote The Martian. The film is helmed by popular directing duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller, responsible for The Lego Movie and the 21 Jump Street duology. The star headlining it all is Ryan Gosling himself. With a budget of $150 million, Amazon is taking a pretty big swing with this one. It’s got a late march release date with not much competition. It’s got tremendous early word of mouth, but can Project Hail Mary be the Sinners of this year. The non franchise genre film blockbuster spring release by an exciting director and starring a young leading man in a juicy role. It’s a steep ask, but if it comes true then buckle up for a major box office success now and lasting impact enough so that we’re still talking about it come awards season.

Ryan Gosling has been one of the hottest leading men in Hollywood for over two decades now. While he definitely has his hits (The Notebook, La La Land, and Barbie), he also has some pretty notable movies that cinephiles loved, but totally flew under the radar at the box office (The Nice Guys, First Man, and Blade Runner 2049). Gosling’s last entry, The Fall Guy, definitely underperformed at the box office and that was in the wake of Barbie’s success. So his name alone, as with most movie stars these days, doesn’t guarantee box office success. His performance in Project Hail Mary carries the movie. Most of the film is just hanging out with him in space along with flashbacks of the events leading up to the mission. He’s so charming and likable. The jokes are funny, but it's his delivery that really sells them. He also sells the dramatic moments in the movie well as his character is put upon with such heavy responsibility. This movie thrives on the undeniable cuteness of Gosling. It may not be an Oscar performance like Michael B. Jordan’s in Sinners, but it’s exactly what this movie needs.

All of Gosling’s best scenes are with Rocky, the rock spider looking alien creature that works with Gosling’s character to save their worlds. The design of the creature is refreshingly unique. As stated before, it is spider-like so the ways in which it gets around is visually interesting. There isn’t a clear face on the creature and its appendages come with limitations so it's massively impressive that they were able to convey so much emotion and personality with the character. Rocky is the clear heart of the movie. The bond they form is absolutely touching. In a science fiction blockbuster landscape that is flooded with creature features, Project Hail Mary distinguishes itself from the pack because of how it's able to have audiences connect with Rocky.

Lord and Miller have turned pretty much every movie they’ve directed into gold, besides Solo: A Star Wars Story. It’s funny because they were fired for creative differences, specifically struggling to mesh their comedic tone with what Lucasfilm felt like a Star Wars movie should be. That movie ended up being a massive bomb and halted spinoff Star Wars movies for eight years. There’s a Star Wars movie with a prime memorial day release date that is raising a lot of doubt, meanwhile Project Hail Mary is poised to be a wholesome hit mostly because of its tonal balance, while still being a very funny film throughout. The film is very funny and despite its heavy subject matter, manages to remain hopeful and uplifting. The special effects are gorgeous. Easily an early front runner for Best Visual Effects and is sure to give Dune: Messiah a run for its money in the category. Little world building things are so fascinating here. The design of the ship and the types of technology the alien uses to work and communicate with Gosling are well thought out and interestingly executed.

If there is anything to complain about, it would be the over two hour and thirty minute run time. Not necessarily because it feels like the movie is too long, but more so because of the framing device hampering the pacing of the film. The movie opens with him first waking up in space and as we delve into his interstellar journey, we periodically flashback to how he was recruited and trained for this mission. You’re so invested in Gosling and Rocky that when the film cuts back to awkward Sandra Huller, it feels like we’re halting the momentum. Not that Huller is bad in the movie, she just doesn’t have much purpose once the mission starts and there’s not that much depth to the character that makes it feel necessary to continue cutting back to developing her story throughout. Maybe there’s a ninety minute cut that solely covers the space mission itself. The film is also pretty standard in its narrative. It’s predictable what's going to happen throughout. The only surprise in the film feels like an unnecessary wrinkle. While it is a science fiction movie that will make you think about the science, it’s not necessarily one that will have you chewing on the themes days after the release. These are just a few nitpicks in an otherwise hit of a film.

Some have been throwing around the term ‘masterpiece’, which is a bit strong. It’s a cool space movie that’s likable and optimistic. Definitely accessible to families and schools. Gosling and Rocky combine for maximum cuteness. While it’s not quite the defining movie of the year like Sinners, it’s possible that the film persists come awards season to snatch up a few nominations. Project Hail Mary is a faithful adaptation that is sure to delight all audiences.

Project Hail Mary is in theaters March 20th!

Rating: 4/5