New Release: Project Hail Mary

I’ll admit I laughed so hard, I snorted...loudly.

Project Hail Mary is a must-see in theaters

And Rocky got me. Each time a trailer plays at home or at the theater, I still grin when I see that cute ass rock.

It honestly took me by surprise how funny the movie was. I’ll admit I have Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir on my TBR bookshelf, but I didn’t get a chance to read it before the movie. But this movie has me excited to relive it in print as well as back in a theater.

From talking to people who have read the book, it seems to follow the narrative fairly closely, though it jumps around in terms of chronology. So, I’m glad to hear that a book-to-screen adaptation was handled respectfully.

You NEED to see this on a big screen.

It is a spectacle best experienced on the big screen. Space movies have a hard time holding up once you watch them at home. This was my big push to get people to see Fantastic Four in theaters, because you want that massive screen to make you feel immersed in space. And if for no other reason…just to put your frickin phone down for a couple hours.  You will survive without it.

Even though I stand by my statement that it's a space film (well, because it is), a lot of the movie focuses on the relationship-building between Rocky and Ryland Grace. Flashbacks to how Grace ended up in space occur throughout the movie, adding to the narrative of what is happening inside the spaceship as these two try to solve the galactic problem.

What doesn’t work: Any time you get a film that breaches the 2-hour mark without constant action, you can find areas that could’ve been shaved down, but if those moments would’ve been at the expense of less Rocky, then my vote is more Rocky.

I would walk over a LEGO covered floor for Rocky

What does work: Oh my gosh…I wasn’t ready for how emotional this film was. And my emotions are more than just some tears being shed. As I stated before, I was surprised by how funny this movie was. Looking back, I shouldn’t have been surprised because you cast Ryan Gosling as someone charming and funny, which makes him a perfect fit for this movie. As far as the relationship between Rocky and Grace…anyone who has raised children can relate to scenes from this movie, but it goes deeper than that when you realize they are exactly what they need from each other at that specific time.

The visuals are beautiful, but it can’t be overstated that this movie is about their relationship and less Apollo 13 action-heavy. There are action scenes out in space, but this movie is about fighting for something outside yourself, even when the odds are against you, and any chance at “glory” you might achieve.

We could use more hope

I know some will criticize the movie for being too cutesy and too obvious in trying to make you feel, but newsflash… movies are always trying to evoke emotion in you, whether it’s obvious or not. My advice?  Let the feelings wash over you and figure out what it means to you later. It's a movie built on optimism and friendship...something horribly lacking in the real world right now.

Right now, I’m around a 4.5/5. Maybe I’ll feel less so after a second viewing, but the mere fact that I’m itching to see it again means there was something there that pulled me in.