9 Years After Release, 91%-Rated Matt Damon’s Sci-Fi Hit Blows Up Netflix Top
“So, technically, I colonized Mars. In your face, Neil Armstrong!”
Summary:
- After the recent worldwide success of Ford v Ferrari on Netflix, another movie starring Matt Damon is climbing the platform’s top.
- It follows a story of an astronaut in his struggle to survive on the uncolonized planet alone, after being left here as a result of an accident.
- This 2015 banger mixes science, humor, great acting and music.
Matt Damon’s movies of the last decade have recently started to conquer Netflix’s Global Chart, with Ford v Ferrari blowing it for the last few weeks, which is supported these days by the 2015 space movie, also starring the acclaimed Bourne movies’ actor.
Set in the near future, this science fiction dramedy stars Damon as Mark Watney, a botanist and witty mechanical engineer on NASA's mission on Mars with the crew of the Ares III. They have to leave the planet because of the severe storm, which gets Watney unconscious and makes his team leave him behind at the assumption he is dead.
However, the astronaut manages to survive, but realizes he has no way to communicate, no proper food and facilities for living, left for him on Mars. This becomes the starting point of Watney’s own “colonization” of the planet, as he is trying to make water, grow food and find a way to inform NASA he’s still alive and is waiting for rescue.
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Sci-fi fans may recognize here the inventive plot of The Martian, which is now holding the third place in Netflix’s chart. Indeed, based on the brilliant 2011 novel of the same name by Andy Weir, it serves as its perfect movie adaptation, combining well-made action, witty humor of the main character and growing suspense, caused by the constant question, whether Watney would be saved and returned to Earth or not.
As for the cast, the movie is massively praised not only for Damon’s acting, and the actor gave an extremely convincing performance here, but also the supporting actors, among whom Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Michael Peña and Sean Bean stood out the most.
Besides, there are obvious positive reviews related to Ridley Scott ’s directing style here, as the filmmaker seemed to enjoy the process of making The Martian very much himself, which is reflected in its uplifting and somewhat humorous vibe. The movie’s soundtrack, consisting mainly of the 1970s hits, also adds to its life-affirming mood.
Therefore, the story of "Mark Watney, space pirate" is something more than a simple survival tale, but a perfectly made movie that won’t leave you indifferent.