‘Project Hail Mary’ Review: A Perfect New Space Adventure
5/5 Rock Friends
Phil Lord and Chris Miller took on adapting Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary with the help of Drew Goddard’s script. What they made was something incredibly special.
Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a former teacher turned savior of the entire world. In order to survive, Ryland and a team of highly trained scientists must stop a virus from killing the sun. But he finds himself thrown into space on accident and it is up to only him to save all of humanity.
For the most part, we’re watching Gosling in space and he’s alone. If it was any other performer, it might get old fast. But with Gosling, he’s wildly entertaining as Ryland and even when it is just him on board the ship alone, it is worthwhile. But what makes Project Hail Mary such a fascinating and moving film is the way that Lord and Miller use their cast to their advantage.
Split between Ryland’s time working with those in charge, like Sandra Hüller’s Eva, and his time in space alone, Project Hail Mary finds a balance that truly makes this into something special.
Rocky and the joy of practical effects
Fans of the book know Rocky well. An alien life form that Ryland meets in space, the movie brings him to life with practical effects. He is so perfect, I assumed he was CGI at first only to be confronted with the reality that Rocky is real and I can meet him someday. Played by James Ortiz, the practicality of Rocky feels more like movies from the 80s. It is why the film is being compared to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
But the themes present within Project Hail Mary does make this E.T. meets Interstellar in the best of ways. Rocky helps with that. Rocky is also trying to stop the virus that is eating everything and he teams up with Ryland to try to find a cure.
The two work together, despite their language barrier, to find a solution. So it also is a little Arrival but with a Ryland and Rocky twist.
A perfect needle drop
Many are, rightfully, talking about the use of “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles used in the film. It is poignant and beautiful but that’s not the only brilliantly crafted needle drop. The film also uses “Two of Us” by the Beatles to really concrete Rocky’s relationship with Ryland. Maybe it is my own connection to the song doing the heavy lifting but it was so emotionally moving that I haven’t stopped thinking about it.
But like any good needle drop, it has made me recognize that part of the joy of this movie is the use of both these songs to highlight where these characters are. Eva is singing Harry Styles before making one of the toughest decisions of her life, Ryland and Rocky are working together to try to go home to a song all about taking the journey home together. And both really stayed with me after the film.
Surviving no matter what
Ultimately, Project Hail Mary is more than just another space adventure. It is more than just another story of surviving and mankind’s need to do so. Instead, it is a movie about connection and understanding one another, something we need now more than ever. Ryland could have left Rocky behind and vice versa but the two meet, work together, and bond.
Watching that, seeing how a man who could not communicate with something found a way to, was incredibly moving. And yes, it was fun to watch a rock-like creature learn all about the Rocky movies just because Ryland was especially on the nose.
Project Hail Mary is beautiful, emotional, and the best film of the year.
Project Hail Mary is in theaters on March 20.
(featured image: MGM)
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