Review: ‘Project Hail Mary’ is Excellent Play Execution
Ryan Gosling has been on the up and up for the last decade, and all the prior buildup to today felt like it was star-aligned to put him on Project Hail Mary. A wonderful, new adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2021 novel of the same name that thrusts Dr. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) into a one-way mission to keep our Sun from going dark. The objective is a “long shot” to Tau Ceti (10 light years away!) and to discover what, if anything, can remove the microorganism “Astrophage” before Earth cools to mass-extinction levels. Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller deliver an incredibly faithful and exhilarating adaptation of another enthralling Weir science-fiction story.
[Warning: spoilers from Project Hail Mary are below!]
Ryan Gosling was born to play Ryland Grace
It’s been nearly six years since the announcement of Project Hail Mary, the excitement being doubled by the selection of Ryan Gosling to embark on the intrepid journey. Grace is rattled from a coma aboard the Hail Mary ship; years have passed, and the onboard systems are beginning to shut down from autopilot. As he comes to, some memories begin to bleed through, presented as flashbacks that hastily provide context for the viewer and Grace. Grace is a ridiculed molecular biologist (turned junior high teacher) whose dismissed ideas become vital to humanity’s chances at success.
Grace has shut himself off from everything and everyone, which makes him an outstanding candidate for Project Hail Mary. Gosling is so expressively perfect as Grace, going between a laser-focused researcher and a goofball astronaut trying to maintain his sanity. The pilgrimage for Grace is not just floating amongst the dying stars, but also a personal one where Gosling shines emotionally. When the weight of the literal world is the only motivation for Grace to begin his work, an unexpected ally aligns himself to collaborate on the Astrophage issue. What was first a solo mission becomes the most heartwarming and inspiring partnership ever dreamt of in space.
Perhaps the last time an alien was so damn lovable was E.T. or Grogu (The Mandalorian), showing a childlike glee and excitement around a human. Rocky (James Ortiz) is from the planet 40 Eridani or Erid, for short. A cross between a spider and a rock, Rocky is the last one on his ship (similar to Grace’s predicament) to find a way to save his Star as well. Grace finds himself between a rock and a hard place (makeshift airlock between their ships), but the man/rock combo works efficiently. This is where Gosling really gets to act his ass off, pitting himself against a puppet for over half the runtime.
The interactions are super cute, with fist bumps, hugs, and lots of jokes between Grace and Rocky. Whenever Grace monologues to Rocky about Earth and humanity, the despair and pride conveyed by Gosling are at their best. The other side of the character is an awkwardly hilarious but nervous researcher who is getting his chance to redeem himself academically while also saving the world. Pitted against Grace is the woman in charge of leading Project Hail Mary, Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller), who is as rigid as she is qualified to save humanity. Although Grace understands the project’s severity, he fails to appreciate the measures Stratt will take to ensure everyone’s success. The most emotional changes in temperament from Gosling as Grace start to kick in when the flashbacks start to show how he finally began to find his place in the team, before being sent to space.
Project Hail Mary is a visual marvel with a resonant score
Just like the great team-up of Rocky and Grace, Lord and Miller bring in Daniel Pemberton to score Project Hail Mary for a slam dunk production. Having previously worked together on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse, Pemberton was an excellent choice for scoring an epic space journey. The sequence during the Petrova Line scene is nearly religious, and the hallucinogenic effect of it culminates in an unforgettable cinematic moment. Each and every spacewalk carries so much beauty and pressure for Grace to triumph in the mission, simultaneously providing heart-pounding tension elevated by Pemberton’s score.
A ton of care and work went into creating the interior of the “Hail Mary” ship, using a completely constructed set with the VFX laid in so organically that everything is visually seamless in Project Hail Mary. The beauty of IMAX is how the extra screen space catapults already glorious cinematic moments into even more awe-inspiring scenes. The claim by director Chris Miller that they did not use green screens is apparent, as the ship interiors smoothly blend with the elegance of the stars and space. It was equally significant to soften the colors during the flashback moments on Earth, in line with the story of the Sun starting to lose its shine. With grayer and cooler tones, the gloom and distress are set out right from the beginning.
Some differences from the novel are wholly welcome
The book was a fantastic read, one I eagerly reviewed once production kicked off on the film Project Hail Mary. My only concern with the novel was how author Weir would go on and on about the calculations and quick math that Grace would perform on the fly, with minimal to no error. Some of these moments went on for several pages, prompting me to just jump ahead to get back into the story. Luckily, these plot slowdowns are absent from the film, reduced to brief sections of scientific montages. The only odd omission was the team’s decision on the microorganism’s name and its significance. “Astrophage” is Greek for “Star Eater”, a wonderful, revelatory moment that subtly leaned into Grace’s brilliance.
Sticking the landing was my primary question going into Project Hail Mary: would they go in an entirely different direction? Perhaps introduce a new character or challenge that would softly provide an alternative out for Grace? Thankfully, it stayed in line with Weir’s original ending but added a tiny detail with exciting potential. Lastly, keeping the flashbacks as interjections throughout the mission worked effectively, making the movie zip by, even with its 156 minutes of running time.
Final thoughts on Project Hail Mary
Right from the outset, I was excited about the adaptation as I had thoroughly enjoyed both book and film versions of The Martian. The premise for Project Hail Mary is simple and wonderful, which made the development and execution of a cinematic version an easy layup. Rocky and Grace are well-written characters who form a heartwarming, hilarious team meant for one another. Gosling is on another level, and Ortiz keeps up with him with complete ease. Hüller was exactly the type of actress whom I had envisioned as Stratt, and she carried the role right along. So many moments could be paused and dissected for the intense allure they have through incredible visual effects. And of course, the expertly paired score from Pemberton to tie it all together.
If possible, this must be seen on the biggest screen with the most-packed theater possible. The shared laughter, awe, and impact felt by my early screening crowd is unforgettable, and one that will be replicated when Project Hail Mary releases on March 20th in theaters! Have you read the book? Are you planning on securing tickets for this weekend? To find theatres and times in your area, check out the film’s official page! Let us know your thoughts on social media @bsb.insider!
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