By When a blight on the sun threatens humanity, Ryland is recruited to investigate, and his discoveries lead to a mission to Tau Ceti to determine why that star has not been impacted by the blight in an attempt to save humanity.
Upon arrival, Ryland discovers that he is not alone as another Alien craft is there and over time the Alien, he names Rocky bond with one another. Rocky is also the sole survivor of his mission which like Ryland’s is to save his race from the blight. Thanks to a communication program Ryland develops, the two must work with one another to save their species.
Based on the book by Andy Weir, the movie is a deeply engaging and enjoyable 2.5-hour experience. The Direction of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller give audiences the moments of tension during E.V.A. moments and other dangers that arise, yet keep the core story elements of friendship, sacrifice, tolerance, and discovery intact.
From start to finish I was engaged by the characters and their stories and the bond between Ryland and Rocky was moving to experience as two beings who are radically different in their anatomy, native atmospheres, language, and more could find common ground to not only work with one another; but to develop and deep and enduring bond where either would risk everything for the other.
The effects were amazing and yet never overshadowed the fact that this is character-driven story.
I could not say enough great things about this movie as it was an experience that was not only moving but stayed with me long after the film had ended and one that has made it one of the best films of the year and a genre classic in the making.
4.5 stars out of 5
