The Martian is not handled like your typical Sci-Fi blockbuster. It elects to downplay sentimentality in favor of scientific, fact-based, problem solving. Choosing to focus on the practicalities of what surviving on Mars would take, rather than exploiting the scenario for cheap thrills, or even cheaper tears. There are however, a boatload of cheap laughs to be had along the way, some terrific, others less so. Damon is certainly up to the task of carrying much of the movie solo, though he has a lot of help back on Earth from Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jeff Daniels, and in space, from Jessica Chastain and Michael Pena. As well, when the film does choose to focus on spectacle, it is in the very capable hands of the visually brilliant director Ridley Scott, who never misses an opportunity to show you why. A thoughtful and unique survivalist escapade, that utilizes humor and logic to great effect, and perhaps most importantly, employs it's big budget like a scalpel instead of a broadsword.
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