Key Takeaways
- Rocky and practical effects add realism and emotional weight
- A standout film this year with strong awards potential
So much of our world is centered around conflict rather than solutions, and stories in pop culture often perpetuate that conflict.
I went to see Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s adaptation of Project Hail Mary this weekend and was refreshed to find a story that steers clear of senseless conflict and focuses on perseverance, teamwork and problem-solving.
Project Hail Mary tells the story of a world scrambling to save its dying sun, relying on middle school science teacher Ryland Grace to travel the stars and find a way to prevent extinction. During his journey, he comes across an alien named Rocky who faces the same problem on his homeworld. Together, they learn to understand each other and save their homes.
Project Hail Mary focuses on a clear problem and the journey to find a solution. The movie is filled with intricate obstacles that require time, effort and creative thinking to overcome. It spends much of its runtime on Rocky and Grace applying the scientific process to each obstacle in their journey to solve the unsolvable.
Project Hail Mary begins with Ryland Grace alone, and he cannot complete his mission without his alien companion Rocky. Audiences quickly fell in love with Rocky, whose puppeteer said, “I was always playing Rocky like the universe’s little brother.”
A large part of the movie’s magic comes from its use of practical sets and effects. Using a practical piece for Rocky gives the character tangibility and realism. The interior and exterior of the NASA ship were practical, along with parts of Rocky’s ship. One of the movie’s most impressive effects uses an in-camera trick with string lights.
The practical effects and sets support Ryan Gosling’s performance. Actors who have worked on fully digital sets have noted the difficulty of acting in those environments. With an authentic scene partner in Rocky and a lived-in set, Gosling’s performance excels. His performance echoes the more optimistic tone of his recent movies, a focus he has had since having children.
The movie shares similar themes with Andy Weir’s previous novel turned film, The Martian. The unknown of space serves as a daunting backdrop to these stories. It serves as a recurring setting for Weir. Watching a human overcome the obstacles and vastness of space is inspiring.
Lord and Miller’s most recent film is one of the best so far this year and will likely be a major awards contender. Project Hail Mary is worth a trip to the big screen.
