Photo courtesy of IDMb.com
“Project Hail Mary,” directed by the same duo responsible for “The Lego Movie” and ”Spider-Verse,” is a refreshingly original kind of sci-fi film. While some of its story beats and visuals reminded me of “Interstellar” and “Arrival,” the movie’s chipper optimism and goofball humor distinguishes itself, offering a blend of hard-science world-building and crowd-pleasing charisma.
The movie begins with amnesiac Dr. Grace, played by Ryan Gosling, emerging from a dewy coma bag and finding himself stuck on a spaceship. As he bumbles around, disoriented and unkempt, he finds that the other two passengers have died in their comas. He is completely alone. Flashbacks to Earth show Grace, a scientist thrown out of academia, being recruited by an international agency to investigate a mold (called Astrophage) that's consuming the sun.
Many sci-fi films often highlight psychological desperation when characters face potentially apocalyptic circumstances. In “PHM,” however, the scientists and astronauts trying to save the world approach their potential (and sometimes guaranteed) deaths with ironic levity and good humor. But it’s not as if the film suggests that dying is that easy, or that everyone feels this way. The peace others seem to find with death baffles Grace. This question of how to die for something, how to let go of self for the sake of others even when afraid, becomes the crux of Grace’s character development.
The real appeal of the movie resides in outer space. Having traveled nearly 12 light years away from Earth to investigate the predator of Astrophage, Grace finds another ship with another creature trying to solve the same problem. Grace is no longer alone in the galaxy—a big-hearted but socially unaware alien (whom Grace names Rocky) is his new companion. Through their unlikely friendship, the movie explores themes of morality, mortality, connection, self-sacrifice and purpose. It’s also just funny to watch Rocky’s clingy personality both amaze and annoy Grace.
Although its unnecessarily bloated runtime means I won’t be rewatching on the regular, “Project Hail Mary” does a lot of things right. Besides being a visual feast, it’s funny as well as earnest, honest as well as hopeful. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the performances of Gosling, James Ortiz and Sandra Hüller—all three were excellent. I give “Project Hail Mary” Four stars.
Photo courtesy of IDMb.com.