Project Hail Mary – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Project Hail Mary – Be My Rock / Be My Friend

To look at the world, we look at things that come and go.  As time moves along, so do our relationships.  To see life flow becomes a matter of story, especially in film.  Seeing how the escape makes you feel and think becomes a situation where wonder can take your breath away.  No matter the flaws, sometimes there is a film that does just that.  In this review, I look at the latest Sci-Fi film to hit the big screen.  For all that can be said, Project Hail Mary is a riveting adventure that shows what it means to have a heart in space.

When a threat to space is imminent, two explorers will come together in hopes of saving their worlds.  To look at film, what is it that you hope to see.  From the silly to the action packed, there are many things that can grip a person to the big screen.  For me, it is a sense of the escape that makes you see, feel and fall into the tale.  With this film, it becomes much more than it’s Sci-Fi aesthetic … building up to what it means to be a real friend.  In the beginning, we come into this film through the drop-in method where we find Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) waking up from a long-induced coma in space.  After scenes of silly shenanigans, his memory starts to come back as he realizes why he is light years from Earth: the sun is dying and he has been sent on a mission to a far away galaxy to find a way to save their solar system.  As Grace struggles with thoughts of purpose and loneliness, everything turns upside down when he encounters an alien rock creature, he decides to name Rocky (Voiced: James Ortiz).  From this meeting, we head down a path that blends scenes of comedy and wholesome moments.  With the dynamic between Rocky and Grace becoming the focal point, levity builds up against the backdrop of this galaxy wide calamity.  As the two learn about each other (and find a way to communicate) there is a dance of fragility that sparks honest conversations.  These moments build up their budding friendship where indifference fades through a raw sense of sincerity.  This central grip of characterization lifts the Sci-Fi elements, creating a sense of an awe-inspiring escape.

As Rocky and Grace grow through a sense of purpose, their character dynamic continues to evolve beyond the foundational aspects of the film.  Space and exploration fall into the background as the catalyst for finding a solution rests upon their friendship.  Through the witty script, a hardiness of self-worth becomes evident as their plan comes into full view.  This leads into a third act of intense action like sequences, convenient plot driven mishaps and an endearing climax of what friendship truly means.  Project Hail Mary is a monumental film that pushes new ideas into its Sci-Fi Escape.  If you are a fan of Sci-Fi, adventure or character films, this is one for you.  In the end, this is truly (even this early) one of the best films of the year … an award worthy experience. 

Full Score – 4.5 out of 5 (Award Worthy)