Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary
Starring Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce
Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller

The word "masterpiece" gets tossed around a lot lately, especially in regards to film. However, when it comes to "Project Hail Mary," I can say that this is, indeed, a masterpiece. From the performances to the themes; the cinematography and visuals; the story and the action all connect with perfection, leaving very little to critique apart from small nitpicking that could've just made it better.

Waking up in a spaceship with amnesia, Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) begins piecing together in his mind the events that led him to his situation. A former scientist turned schoolteacher, he is approached by Eva Stratt (Sandra Huller) with important news: the planet is dying because the sun is slowly being eaten away by a string of Astrophage that is slowly siphoning the sun's energy, and in 30 years will leave the Earth a frozen wasteland. She knows Dr. Grace understands this phenomena more than anyone, even if he's lost faith in himself, and recruits him for the "Hail Mary" project - sending a group of astronauts to a foreign sun that's unaffected by the Astrophage and finding out why it's impervious to their attack in order to find a solution on Earth. Now in space heading toward his destination, Dr. Grace runs into another spaceship manned by a rock creature (James Ortiz) from another world that is experiencing the same effects as Earth. Calling him Rocky, Dr. Grace joins forces with him to find a way to save both of their planets before their suns die.


The Good:
Ryan Gosling has proven himself time and again to be able to hold a movie, and "Project Hail Mary" is easily his best work to date. He is one of the most charming actors in Hollywood and that charm oozes onto the screen, giving Dr. Grace a human feel as opposed to some astronaut superhero. Dr. Grace is flawed, he's insecure, and he's not the hero you'd expect - but the hero we need. It's not your typical "rise to the occasion" character but rather one who finds himself in what he feels is over his head, tasked with saving humanity as someone in the ordinary world would. Typically, in such movies, the hero is flawless and brave, brushing off danger like dust on their shoulder, but Gosling's Dr. Grace is no such man - he's human, like us, and although he provides more than enough comedy, you also sense the doubt and insecurities he endures in this endeavor.

On the opposite end, Sandra Huller's Eva Stratt is all business, no personality. She's deadpan and monotone, and doesn't seem to understand Dr. Grace's particular sense of humor - or at least just tolerates it. This is actually perfect for the film because it keeps the heir of mystery behind the events happening, and Huller provides the grounded performance that keeps us on a level playing field with Dr. Grace, as oftentimes we don't even know what's happening as well.

Then there's James Ortiz, who not only voices Rocky the rock alien, but serves as one of the puppeteers for the animatronic (there was five total puppeteers dubbed "The Rockyteers" who controlled the fully real puppet). His voice is full of life and carries emotional heft that serves as the strong bond between himself and Grace.

The story, while filled with scientific jargon and words that go over the heads of most moviegoers, is still a simple one when boiled down: the sun is dying, and a man goes in search of a way to save it. Yet that's just the overarching story, as there's a deeper one at its center: the connection between Grace and Rocky. At first the two are scared of one another, but after Grace finds a way to change Rocky's language to English, the two form a buddy comedy duo that is extremely endearing. The comedy between the two is laugh-out-loud, and you truly feel the bond between the two of them - so much so that in the film's more pivotal, heartstopping moments, you really feel the connection in the sense that you find yourself tearing up over events that occur...or at least I did. I was so engrossed in their story and connection that I felt strongly for both characters.

The movie encompasses both comedy and drama in disarming ways, where you're laughing one minute and crying the next because your guard is down. It's a profound effect that barely works, but thanks to Chris Miller and Phil Lord - not to mention the story written by Drew Goddard from the Andy Weir novel - you lose yourself in the story.

The cinematography is exquisite and astonishing, mixed in with the soulful soundtrack and stunning visual effects make for a compelling watch, especially on the big screen. This is one movie to see in the theater to fully appreciate the visual and auditory wonders it possesses, and will transcend you into the film. It's one of the best space films I've seen since "Gravity," perfectly encompassing the vastness (and silence) of it. 

Yet the film doesn't entirely rely on CGI, as the camera work and lighting are all natural, giving a realistic feel. Not to mention that Rocky isn't CGI at all - but an animatronic puppet controlled by different people - hearkens back to classic cinema before soulless CGI took over.

The Bad:
Usually with movies like this, they introduce complex scientific quandaries that are difficult to understand. Words like "Astrophage" and "Petrova" can be disarming in trying to understand, and in the film's defense it doesn't shy away from such terminology or dumb it down for the audience. Instead, it's not necessary to fully comprehend everything but enjoy the ride and believe in the movie's ability to uncover the mystery.

The film is shot in a non-linear fashion, flashing back to Dr. Grace's experiences on Earth with his time in space, which at some moments can slow the momentum, but ultimately you understand why the film (and the novel) does this, and it makes it even more impactful.

At two hours and forty minutes, this could feel like a daunting watch, and it does fall into the trap of "The Return of the King" where you think the movie will end, but it keeps going...and this happens a couple times. Still, you're so invested in the story and characters you don't really care, and it doesn't feel as long as it is.


The Verdict:
With an awards-worthy performance by Ryan Gosling (as well as Sandra Huller), mixed with awards-worthy story, cinematography and effects, "Project Hail Mary" is the Hail Mary pass cinemas need to draw people back, giving a compelling, moving, hilarious, and poignant movie that runs perfectly on all cylinders. 


The Score: A+