Project Hail Mary review: You’ll laugh, cry then laugh some more

Some people believe Earth is slowly dying. As movies often reflect current events and anxieties, they envision what this could look like. Causes change depending on the present source of worry, but catastrophic natural disasters still hold the top spot. Yet, there’s always a chance the root could be something outside humanity’s control. Planet-killing asteroids and alien invasions tend to top that list. In those cases, it is up to the world to band together and find a solution to preserve life on the planet. In Project Hail Mary, a science teacher becomes the world’s only hope.

Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) teaches middle school science. But once upon a time, he was a leader in molecular biology. Now, an unknown substance is draining Earth’s sun. This will result in mass casualties if the world’s brightest minds can’t figure out the cause and how to stop it. Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) is leading the international research group and she recruits Grace to help. He’s reluctant to rejoin the community that ostracized him, but grudgingly agrees. His discoveries quickly make him the leading expert on “Astrophage,” the matter devouring the sun. So, in spite of having no training or experience, he inevitably ends up on a space mission to find a remedy and save the world.

This is ultimately a buddy movie featuring two of the most unlikely friends. It follows an ill-equipped human on his maiden space voyage light years from home and an alien Eridian who happens to be on a similar quest to save his planet. He looks like a cross between a spider and a scorpion, but made of rock. So, the creative genius names him Rocky (James Ortiz). Even without a face, Rocky exhibits strong emotions. Before they can establish verbal conversations, Rocky uses movement and gestures to communicate — an adorable constant throughout the film.

Luckily, Rocky has his own audible language. This means Grace has an easier time creating a program that can interpret his sounds rather than having to create a whole new baseline, like in Arrival. Instead of a flat artificial voice, the computer adds inflections to Rocky’s words that reflect his feelings and round out his character. The simplistic translations of his language to English often lead to some funny exchanges between Rocky and Grace, including many amusing one-liners. Their banter flows so naturally, the fact that the actors improvise many of their conversations is remarkable. It’s the key to bringing their unusual friendship to life.

The film tells two stories in parallel: the space mission and Grace’s life before the launch. Both unfold chronologically as the narrative bounces back and forth between the two. His life on Earth shows a science expert who suffered the consequences for refusing to retract an unpopular theory. But it’s that belief that leads to this opportunity to save the world.

Grace is exceptionally smart, wasting his potential in a classroom with children – even if he’s good at it. But his skills in adapting is what allows him to build a partnership with Rocky. After getting over the initial shock and fear, he decides working together is their best shot. Rocky is an excellent engineer and builder, so combining their expertise seems like a good idea.

Fiction proposes so many ways the world could end. It then delivers hope through cooperation that stops or diverts the countdown. It’s interesting that in this instance, Earth will be destroyed by alien matter rather than a force of our own making. Yet, the ultimate causes of mass casualties remain the same: climate change, starvation and wars over resources.

Parts of the story are somewhat predictable. Grace’s reluctance to take big steps foreshadows a turning point in the story. But desperation and limited options can have a strange effect on a man, especially when he thinks he’s going to die. In addition, Grace and Rocky’s friendship must inevitably be tested. This culminates in a big action sequence that feels a little contrived, especially in the context of the more low-key dramedy. Nonetheless, Grace and Rocky’s relationship feels incredibly genuine as they get to know each other and grow closer over the course of the film. It’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

The film also does an excellent job of making the space elements appear real. Without the years of astronaut preparation under his belt, Grace convincingly stumbles around zero gravity and blunders through the ship’s operations. In addition, it believably expresses the daunting soundlessness of space before filling the quiet with a fitting orchestral track.

This is the second of Andy Weir’s books that Drew Goddard adapted for the big screen. The Martian earned him an Oscar nomination and this film may do the same. The science fiction tale engrosses audiences from beginning to end, showing them a world that is astounding yet grounded in reality. Meanwhile, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have an excellent career in comedy. Their experience makes this film light-hearted in spite of the dire circumstances, which leads to a satisfying balance of laughter and tears.

Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller and James Ortiz