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AN EXCELLENT SCI-FI BOOSTED BY EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE from MATT DAMON NASA recently announced that they found water on Mars. It indicates, though still a long way to go, that humans can travel and probably live there someday. If that’s really the case, then maybe we won’t have to worry anymore about the excess population on earth (because we can move to Mars in the future) or if someone is accidentally stranded on the planet (because there’s water there, and it’s basically the source of life. So what’s the fuss?). Sadly, this is not the universe that the main character in ‘The Martian’ lives in. The Mars in the film contains no water at all, so it’s a huge problem to be stranded there. Unfortunately he is indeed left behind in the planet, alone. Directed by legendary director Ridley Scott (known for ‘Alien’, ‘Blade Runner; and ‘Gladiator’ to name a few), ‘The Martian’ focuses on astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon), who is on Mars for a mission with his team. The team consists of Captain Melissa Lewis (two time Oscar-nominee Jessica Chastain), Rick Martinez (Michael Pena), Beth Johanssen (Kate Mara), Chris Beck (Sebastian Stan), and Alex Vogel (Aksel Hennie). In the middle of their exploration, they are forced to leave the planet immediately due to the approaching destructive storm. On their way back to the ship, Watney is struck by a piece of satellite-like thing and was separated from the rest of the team. After trying their best to find Watney, the team decides to leave for the earth assuming that Watney is dead, while the fact is he’s alive. Now that he’s alone on Mars with very limited supplies, how will he make it? Can he go back home? As I saw ‘The Martian’, I was so glad for the fact that the film has so many good things going on in it. Let’s first start with the beautiful cinematography by Dariusz Wolski. All of the shots in the film are gorgeously taken and absolutely a visual treat to the eyes. Capturing the dry and inhabitable Mars is no easy task. Wolski did it just right by giving us a depiction of Mars that is as vivid as it is fascinating. The scenes that take place in the outer space are impossible not to make you want to explore them. Supporting the great cinematography is the equally mesmerizing production design. You can tell that the ships, the Mars itself, and the other space-related stuff that I can’t remember the name of are all well-designed and meticulously made. The script is another standout of the film. Penning a sci-fi film is never easy, as you have to carefully insert the science elements without making the film too heavy or complicated. In other words, the science you put really need to appeal the audience instead of bore them. Thanks to Drew Goddard, the science in ‘The Martian’ not only does appeal the viewers, but also excites them. Goddard succeeded in blending it with heartfelt humor, the kind of humor that gives you a good laugh and stirs your emotion as well. Credit also goes to Andy Weir, for which the film is based on his best-selling novel. Though I haven’t read the novel, but I believe it is at least as great as the film, if not better. Backing up the smartly-written script is how the film is edited. The back and forth scenes that show what’s happening on Mars and on Earth are woven seamlessly. That adds to the charm of the film, so you get to see how everyone else reacts to what happens to Watney. Though all of the aforementioned factors contribute heavily to the success of the film, ‘The Martian’ wouldn’t be what it is if it wasn’t for Matt Damon’s amazing performance. I can assure you that nobody could play Mark Watney better than Damon. He was born to play this role. He portrays all of Watney’s traits perfectly, especially his persistence and his sense of humor. So far, he is the only actor in 2015’s movies that I’ve seen that gives an Oscar-worthy performance. There’s one scene in the film that best simulates his talent. It’s a scene between him and Michale Pena’s character that is as funny as it is very touching. I guarantee you’ll be laughing with tears streaming down your cheeks watching that scene. And now it’s time to thank the person who tied all of the aforementioned aspects that make ‘The Martian’ one of the best films of 2015. It’s the very man himself, the director Mr. Ridley Scott. After a string of commercially and critically unsuccessful movies, ‘The Martian’ serves as a return-to-form film for the director. He successfully put the words thrilling, engaging, and hilarious all in a single sci-fi movie. After last nominated for an Oscar more than a decade ago, this film is his biggest chance in years to get back to the awards circuit. Apart from the goodness I mentioned above, the film still has a few flaws. What irritates me the most is how thin Sebastian Stan’s character is written. It’s a shame an actor as talented as he is doesn’t get the chance to shine in an otherwise great film. Although the rest of the supporting characters are not that deeply written, but at least they’re given a chance to show another layer or two of themselves in the film. (MINOR SPOILER ALERT) Speaking of his character, the romance involving him and Kate Mara’s character is just unimportant. It appears too late in the film to give the viewers any emotional impact. Do I even care that they’re together at last? No I don’t.
Overall, ‘The Martian’ is an A-level sci-fi film that delivers entertaining thrills and heartfelt humor. With Matt Damon is at the top of his game, the film is definitely a front runner for the upcoming awards season. Score: 4.5/5
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AN UNSATISFYING YET WATCHABLE SEQUEL TO THE MAZE RUNNER A year ago, a bunch of teenagers were stranded (or trapped?) in a ruthless maze filled with terrible creatures. They learned how to survive by establishing hierarchy and strict rules in the community. Those who had the capability to run fast could be a runner, whose task was to examine the maze regularly in the hope of finding an exit. After a string of unfortunate events, they finally got out of the maze and faced with the fact that they were put in there by a mysterious organization called W.C.K.D for a supposedly noble purpose. As if it wasn’t bitter enough, they also learned that the outside world was no longer habitable due to the widespread of Flare Virus that makes people have appetite for another people (they are called ‘Cranks’). What I just told you about was actually what happened in the first installment of this series, ‘The Maze Runner’. ‘The Scorch Trials’ begins right where its predecessor left off. Thomas and the gang are picked up by a group of army that’s seemingly against W.C.K.D and taken to their quarter. There, they meet some other teenagers that had been in the different mazes created by none other than W.C.K.D. For once, they get to taste the comfort that they’ve been longing for, such as hot showers, nice beds, and proper meals. But things of course can’t go on continuously good like that, because Thomas quickly realizes that everything is not at all like it seems. So now the question is what’s next for these unlucky kids? The story basically still revolves around how Thomas and his friends survive their cruel surrounding. Throughout the film, you will see that they’re running from one hell to another. I like how Wes Ball (the director) managed to keep the story going fast-paced. That’s really helpful in locking the audience in their seats. Another thing to praise here is the constantly good performance from O’Brien and Brodie-Sangster as Thomas and Newt. As for the new cast, the spotlight goes to Rosa Salazar who plays Bren. The crispy deep-voice she has fits perfectly with her role as a girl hardened by the unrelenting situation. Despite all of the highlights I mentioned above, the film unfortunately still feels bland. Yes, the cranks are creepy. Yes, they mostly successful in shocking the audience whenever they appear on screen. Yes, the scope of the film is broader than the first one. But that’s it. There are no other things that will give you the maximum thrill. I remember in the first film there was this one provocative scene where all the Gladers push their friend to the maze just because he was bitten by the maze’s monster, The Griever. Sadly, that kind of thing doesn’t appear here, there’s nothing in ‘The Scorch Trials’ that can provoke you the way its older brother did. Besides that, most of the new characters don’t contribute much too to the film’s charm. (WARNING! BIG SPOILER AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK) The other element that I find distracting in this film is the many nonsensical things going on in it. I’m going to spill two of them here. The first one is I’m highly annoyed by how everyone seems overly depends on Thomas to save their lives. There are too many “Thomas help me!” and “Thomas, do you have a plan?” happening in the film. I know he’s supposed to be a hero, but come on give him a break! He’s just as suffering as they all are. The second one is if W.C.K.D has already known that they can only get the immune kids' blood by literally draining them from a long time ago (one of W.C.K.D’s ex-member who’s now on the Right Arms’ side reveals that in the film), then why would they still lock immune kids in their brutal mazes?
Overall, The Scorch Trials is a less intense and less thought-provoking feature than its predecessor. Nonetheless, it’s still an enjoyable young-adult film to watch. Here’s hoping that their next (and presumably last) film will grant us with satisfying ending! Score: 3/5 |
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AuthorA self-acclaimed movie guy who likes to socialize |