A science teacher is blasted into outer space where he teams up with an alien to help save the world
The second big screen adaptation of an Andy Weir sci fi novel (the first being The Martian), Project Hail Mary is another tale of a likeable scientist stranded in extenuating circumstances. This time it is the perfectly cast Ryan Gosling.
The Hail Mary pass comes from American football, signifying a last second effort in the final hours of a game. In this context, the game is the survival of humanity. Single cell organisms called Astrophage are literally eating the sun’s electromagnetic radiation. As the star dims, a second ice age begins to look likely. The “Hail Mary pass” is sending a crew to a distant star, Tau Ceti, to learn how it has resisted infection.
Project Hail Mary opens with junior high school teacher Ryland Grace (Gosling) waking from a coma, alone on a spacecraft in the far reaches of space. He does not know who he is or why he is there. His two crewmates are dead and his only company is the ship’s computer. Flashbacks to Earth fill in the gaps, as Ryland pieces everything together and his memory slowly returns. What initially feels like it could be a study of isolation in the same vein as Moon (2009) actually evolves into a buddy bromance when Grace meets a rock-like lifeform he names Rocky. Rocky’s home planet is in a similar situation to Earth and the two team up to learn why Tau Ceti is not dimming.
It is fair to say that the set-up described above does not sound like it would have wide appeal. It feels like an unapproachable combination of dense science fiction and surrealism that few would like. What is impressive is that directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Spider Verse films, The Lego Movie and the movie adaptations of 21 Jump Street) have teamed up with the equally talented screenwriter Drew Goddard (The Martian, The Cabin in the Woods and Cloverfield) to make sure Project Hail Mary has wide appeal. And it certainly does. This is not a film just for sci-fi fans. This is a crowd pleaser with broad appeal, in a good way. It has lots of laughs and lots of heart.
The cast, led by the always charming and funny Gosling, is another reason for the film’s appeal. His self-deprecating humour, as well as his interactions with the lovable Rocky, are constantly a source of delight and provide much of the film’s warmth. Rocky’s expressionless presence, aided by a computer voice translating his language, brings a sort of deadpan giddy puppy to life. Think Amy the gorilla from Congo meets Baymax from Big Hero 6.
Of course, this is not all laughs and giggles with Ryan and his rock friend. The fate of humanity as well as the fate of the Eridians (Rocky’s species) is at stake. Thanks to the flashbacks, the gravitas is never lost, with Sandra Hüller’s Eva Stratt leading the project with a no-nonsense approach that feels appropriate rather than cold. It all builds toward a third act that hits the right emotional notes while delivering a shocking last minute revelation.
Some of the science elements may feel skimmed over for aficionados. It is also never one hundred percent clear what the meaning of the flashbacks is. Are they solely to fill in the gaps for the audience or are they also Ryland’s memory reforming? By the end we are not sure if he knows as much about what he went through on Earth as we do, which is slightly frustrating.
These are minor quibbles though. This is a fun time in the cinema for most ages. It is also one of the best-looking Hollywood features in a long time. Everything feels tangible, the spacecraft feels lived in and the sequence cruising over Tau Ceti is absolutely stunning.
You will laugh, you will cry and your jaw will drop. What more do you want?