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Written by: Drew Goddard (screenplay by), Andy Weir (based on the novel by)
Directed by: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Ken Leung
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer
Plot
Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance killing Earth's sun and that an unexpected friendship with an alien named Rocky may be the key.
Verdict
I love this movie. It's not just first contact, but it's also save the world. Even then, we're saving two planets. This is exciting, funny, and touching. Grace and Rocky become fast friends, and their relationship is so endearing. It's an expansive narrative, but the story feels earned at every point with science providing a credible and believable foundation that underscores the narrative beats and action. Facing the insurmountable odds of extinction, Grace and Rocky have no other option but to succeed.
Watch It.
Review
This begins with Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) waking up with no memory of where he is and how he got there. He soon realizes he's on a space ship, having awoken from a prolonged coma. The other crew members are dead. He's alone, very far from Earth, and with no idea of the mission.
As Grace remembers who he is, we see a flashback where he's a middle school science teacher. He's a biologist with unique theories that were derided. Now the government is interested in his ideas and how they would apply to a life form that seems to be absorbing the sun's energy. That's bad news for all of Earth's inhabitants. Grace is given access to this organism, astrophages, to learn how to stop them.
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| Ryan Gosling plays Ryland Grace |
Back on the ship, having recalled his mission, Grace heads to Tau Seti. It's the only star unaffected by astrophage. Orbiting the planet, he sees another ship. It's extra terrestrial. This movie isn't just Grace trying to save the world, it soon becomes first contact. Two different species are both on a mission to save their home worlds. First they have to determine how to communicate. Initially the alien sends Grace a model of his ship and then of his solar system which helps Grace figure out the alien's planet, Erid. Grace sends a model of his solar system, and it's clear that the alien is much better at building. Grace dubs this alien Rocky. From there Rocky picks up on English much quicker than Grace deciphers Eridian. A computer algorithm translates to English for Grace and the audience's convenience.
This does it all. It's dramatic, funny, and touching. Grace and Rocky are a great team, bonded by being the only ones of their species this far from home. The future of their planets depends on their work. The science appears solid, which means that every narrative turn feels earned. There's no cheap twists. Every story beat builds on what happened and the direct actions Grace and Rocky have taken.
The two figure out why Tau Seti is unaffected by astrophage, but next they must determine how to get a sample that can be returned home and combat the problem. That leads to an intense sequence that's dangerous and daring, leading to Rocky saving Grace which is more perilous than it sounds.
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| James Ortiz voices Rocky |
In another flashback we see Grace figure out how astrophage reproduce. That becomes the fuel to get to the star. Rocky's planet figured out the same thing. Grace is soon the leading authority on astrophage, training astronauts that will study the star. What we still don't know is how Grace ended up on the ship as it's clear his job is training. We learn that he never wanted to go on the mission. He admits he's not brave like the astronauts, but he gets his chance to be a hero.
Grace and Rocky have the solution in bacteria, but they need to make it work on their respective worlds. Grace manages to breed bacteria that can survive on Earth, but he bred the bacteria in xenon tanks provided by Rocky. The bacteria discovered how to escape the xenon tanks too. It nearly consumes all of Grace's fuel, and he realizes to his horror that Rocky's ship is made of xenon and lacks any defense. The voyage home takes a turn as Grace decides to rescue his friend.
It's a faithful adaptation to the book, which I read a few years ago. From the beginning of the book I thought it would make a great movie. Indeed it does. This changes very little, not that it needed to. It also completely capture Rocky. There's a lot of comedy between Grace and Rocky, but that also marks their friendship which increases the stakes at the end of the movie.
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| Title Card |
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