The Martian

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This movie adaption of the self-published novel by author Andy Weir really is a great film and well deserving of its current box office success.

There is a truism that continually does the rounds in Hollywood and that is, that science fiction particularly hard Sci-fi, is a recipe for financial disaster Obviously they have not ever heard of Star Wars, Avatar and Aliens and many many more. 

I have actually had people argue with me and tell me that Avatar or Star Wars are not Sci-fi, they are action films. As if the two have to be mutually exclusive.

This movie tells the story of a manned mission to Mars, with six astronauts one of whom is botanist Mark Watney (Damon). They are tasked with bringing back samples when the mission is thrown into disarray when heavy weather causes the mission to be aborted.

Mark is hit by flying debris and presumed lost; his communications and telemetry both no longer sending a signal and he is presumed dead. The other five, played by Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie and Michael Peña, have no choice but to head back to Earth.

It turns out he is alive but stranded and that is what the story is about. His fight for survival on a hostile planet with limited resources. It will be years before he can be rescued and this will be a real fight for survival.

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He channels his inner MacGyver and uses scientific knowledge and all his physical and mental strength to grow food, build shelter, repair and create tools and equipment and the list goes on.
As Mark says, “I’m going to have to science the s--- out of this.” and it is a very apt description for what he has to do to survive.

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It is an eminently watchable film and if you love sci-fi, space exploration and seeing how the ingenuity of man can rise above his circumstances and the environment in which he lives this is a must see film.

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Ridley Scott has produced this paean to hard Science Fiction and he should be applauded for it. We need more of this type of film to generate interest in manned space programs and to show people what the human race could be capable of. Andy Weir did his research when he wrote the book upon which this is based and everything you see in this film could be possible right now. This film isn't fantasy, it is a possible reality.

  

 

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5 Stars

John Wick (2014) - Movie Review

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John Wick is the 2014 action film directed by Chad Stahelski. It follows the story of John Wick (Keanu Reeves) an ex-hitman, who goes out of retirement to track down the gangsters who killed his dog.

The premise of the movie sounds pretty ridiculous but that’s the intention of the film. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and it is really an homage to B action movies from the 90s. It is full of stylish fighting, stereotypical villains and a clichéd story arc.

The director does a good job creating this ‘underground’ world within which the movie takes place and it is enough to keep you hooked until the end. The soundtrack is very reminiscent of old action movies.

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Overall, the movie offers a mindless, fun experience. If you go into the movie you have to switch your brain off and suspend your disbelief in order to enjoy it as it’s intended to be enjoyed.

3 Stars

Jurassic World (2015) - Movie Review

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 Jurassic World is the fourth installment of the ‘Jurassic Park’ series directed by Colin Trevorrow. The film stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins and Nick Robinson. The official synopsis reads:

22 years after the original Jurassic Park failed, the new park (also known as Jurassic World) is open for business. After years of studying genetics the scientists on the park genetically engineer a new breed of dinosaur. When everything goes horribly wrong, will our heroes make it off the island?

As a standard science fiction/monster movie, this movie will certainly give you your money’s worth of dinosaurs, destruction and mayhem. However, for those who grew up watching the original “Jurassic Park” and have a sense of nostalgia to the original property, this movie is simply ‘meh’.

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There are a few moments that capture the magic of the original but majority of the film is just random dinosaurs running around. The movie is entertaining and the action scenes are decent but overall the movie is forgettable. If I had to use one word to describe the story-line it is “Generic”. This films is just another paint by numbers summer blockbuster that doesn’t really offer anything new or unique but manages to keep you interest enough to stay until the end.

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The performances in the film are fine even though this isn’t the type of movie that requires a lot of range.  The musical score is probably the highlight of the film, including music from the original film and mixing it some new tracks.

Overall, I left this movie neither disappointed but neither excited. It was a fun movie while it lasted but after watching it I forgot most of the action.

2.5 Stars