The West Bend Current

The viewing of “Project Hail Mary” I attended was the most full I have ever seen at a theater. Granted, the first two rows were empty, but I have never seen anyone sit in those. There have been a good deal of showings where laughter was plentiful, but none so much as “Project Hail Mary.” 

I feel like there are a few avenues to go down when examining the movie: accuracy or earnestness in relation to the book of the same name, written by Andy Weir. Another, that of the movie’s technical prowess, of which I was impressed. And the last, the storytelling and acting independent of the other two. 

I have not read the book, as every copy available through the local library system is taken out and I imagine it might be a while before I can get one. 

Touching on the cinematic elements, I was very impressed. The set was completely built out, for one, and as the movie progresses, Ryland Grace, the protagonist, builds a home within the spaceship, and as the extraterrestrial Rocky joins him the two roommates quickly remodel. 

My last two points are acting and plot. There are a few chief complaints I have, that being the bits of science and technicality that felt purposefully omitted where I think they could have added a little more purpose to the characters’ actions, but again I would like to emphasize that I have not read the book, and according to the lady sitting next to me the book has far more of these details. This was one of the best parts about Andy Weir’s previous spacefaring novel-turned-movie, “The Martian,” and its absence was missed.

I also have a few personal qualms about the plot of “Project Hail Mary,” or at least the presentation of it. Others I have spoken with have told me that they did not enjoy the admittedly simple and cliche chain of events, but for me it all fell away as I let the obvious passion that went into this envelop me. 

Overall, “Project Hail Mary” is just pure fun. Ryan Gosling seems to be reinventing himself in recent years, going back to “Crazy, Stupid, Love.” Gosling’s acting style that has been recently present most notably in “Barbie” and “The Fall Guy.” I don’t think this new style is for everyone, but it’s cheesy and wholehearted, and that’s what I think the world needs more of. 

On another level, “Project Hail Mary” does something I have never heard of a film doing before, or at least one that I have seen in a theater, that being it was shot on digital Arri Alexa 65 cameras then transferred to film, which allowed directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller to develop shadows and perspective that would have been far more challenging to capture on film alone. The entire movie is visually stunning, from the scenes within the Petrova Line to the image of Tau Ceti. I was practically drooling over how rich and developed the colors were, especially in the infrared spacewalk scene. 

“Project Hail Mary” is an incredibly unique and human movie, created by the two men behind “The Lego Movie,” “21 Jump Street” (and its sequel) and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” What a crazy run.