Project Hail Mary

by Mike McGranaghan

In 1982, the freshly 14-year-old me went to see E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and walked out in a state of complete euphoria. Steven Spielberg’s film wasn’t just great; it was the kind of great where you know that what you’ve seen is going to become a classic. The kind of great that guarantees you’ll never forget the experience. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since. It doesn’t come around often, but I had it again after seeing Project Hail Mary. This adaptation of Andy Weir’s best-seller is one of the most entertaining movies of the 21st century so far.

Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is a high school science teacher who once wrote a paper that made him a pariah within the scientific community. He’s approached by Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller), an official from the European Space Agency. She informs him that something is rapidly destroying the sun, which will leave one-fourth of the world’s population dead within thirty years. A team is being sent into space to investigate this, and Grace’s controversial theory might be the key to saving humanity.

That plot thread is told in flashbacks. In the current time frame, Grace wakes up from a medically induced coma, discovers he’s in outer space, and finds his shipmates dead. Left alone, he begins carrying out his studies. That eventually leads him to discover a stone-like alien creature, whom he dubs “Rocky,” looking to save its own planet from pending disaster. The two combine their scientific knowledge, facing various perils along the way, but also developing an unlikely friendship.

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The LEGO Movie) and writer Drew Goddard (The Martian) turn Weir’s book into a rollicking big-screen thrill ride. The film hits a bullseye on every level. There are scenes of hilarious comedy as Grace and Rocky learn to communicate with each other and overcome their differences. Action sequences are nothing short of spectacular, including a daring space walk and a harrowing attempt to evade a flaming obstacle that’s trailing the ship. Multiple sequences evoke a strong emotional response. Grace is on a technical suicide mission, so he must deal with the thought of never getting back to Earth. The bond between Grace and Rocky also takes a few heartwarming turns. You won’t leave this movie untouched.

Ryan Gosling is a marvel in the lead role. Most of his scenes are by himself or opposite a special effect. Nevertheless, he makes the Grace/Rocky dynamic completely believable, conveying his character’s gratitude for finding someone to connect with in the loneliness of space. Project Hail Mary is an ode to science, but also to cooperation. The uplifting message is that if people with differences can work together, great results will come. That optimism is a balm during our troubled times.

The movie’s visual effects are insanely brilliant. If you thought Gravity looked authentic, wait until you see this. Rarely has the wonder of the cosmos been so majestically depicted onscreen. Production designer Charles Wood spared no expense in making the interior of the Hail Mary realistic, too. The intricate details turn it into a convincing environment for the story to take place. Wood's efforts go a long way toward giving the picture an immersive, transporting quality.

Project Hail Mary’s 156 minutes breeze right by. And even if a few story points are a tad manipulative, it doesn’t remotely matter. This is the sort of grand, impassioned, magical cinematic adventure that only comes along once in a blue moon. It’s the very definition of a must-see.

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