“Project Hail Mary” follows science teacher Ryland Grace who wakes up on a spaceship, discovering he must solve the riddle behind a mysterious substance that’s causing the sun to die out. It is based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Andy Weir.
A Visually Stunning Sci-Fi Journey
When your movie takes place in outer space, it needs to be stunning. And “Project Hail Mary” is certainly that. Cinematographer Greig Fraser is at the top of his game, capturing stunning visuals over and over again. Whether it’s the vastness of space or entire planets, the film can be sold on its beauty alone.
These shots are made even more impressive by the fact that “Project Hail Mary” uses no green screen or blue screen shots at all.
Practical effects shine here as well. Particularly in Grace’s eventual friend, Rocky, who is bound to be a favorite. Blending puppetry and CGI enhancement, Rocky takes on a unique form that seems simplistic – yet is so layered. James Ortiz serves as the lead puppeteer and voice actor for the character, bringing the strangely adorable alien to life.
Structure, Style and Direction
With a 156-minute runtime, “Project Hail Mary” is daunting on first glance. But the editing plays a big role in keeping it fast-paced. The film plays many of its cards early on, but still holds a few tricks up its sleeve. Playing out in a nonchronological format, it transitions back and forth between Grace’s time on Earth and his time in outer space.
This approach allows the movie to remain multifaceted – especially because it takes place in a fairly focused environment. Through varying aspect ratios, it clearly distinguishes these moments so general audiences can easily follow along. This is all part of the film’s style, making the space sequences feel larger than life.
Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have a firm grasp on this adaptation. The themes fully resonate, covering humanity, connection and perseverance. “Project Hail Mary” is not attempting to be a tense thrill ride. It wants to be the feel-good movie of the year (even with some darker ideas), and it likely will be.
In doing so, this does contribute to some tonal issues. “Project Hail Mary” aims to constantly be triumphant. Daniel Pemberton’s score, specifically, is always “epic.” What’s the problem? The film never breathes – with grand choirs and synths filling the void. The movie feels slightly devoid of tension because of this, as the sound does not match the intensity of the onscreen action. Instead, every moment comes across as an obstacle that’s bound to be passed. The script faces the same effect, growing “unserious” despite containing real-world consequences.
These are not necessarily problems. As with any movie, creative decisions are subjective. Those who have read the source material will likely be prepared for the world of “Project Hail Mary.” Those who have not may need some time to adjust to its unique quirks.
Performances and Emotional Impact
Ryan Gosling (Ryland Grace) is who everyone came to see. And it’s the little things that make this performance special. Gosling speaks a lot here, but it’s the small hand gestures and facial expressions that say more. It’s full of his usual schticks, sure. But he does just enough to make this one stand out. This is Gosling’s movie – and amid the film’s massive technical achievements – he’s the one who ties it all together.
Sandra Hüller (Eva Stratt) also has a notable role. While her screen time is limited, the impact of her character is memorable. Hüller is direct and concise in her delivery, providing the perfect contrast to Gosling during their on-Earth exchanges.
In a world full of hate, sometimes all you need is a little hope. And that’s what “Project Hail Mary” delivers… almost too much at times. Because of its relentless optimism, the last 20 minutes are uneven. There are an abundance of moments where it seems like “Project Hail Mary” is ending; only to continue… and continue.
Your smile may begin to fade, but it will likely come back. The film sticks the landing with its eventual concluding scene.
“Project Hail Mary” is an out-of-this-world story about the power of connection. Human resiliency is on full display in this sci-fi spectacle.
Rating: 4 out of 5
