Reel Quick
Project Hail Mary is the much-anticipated sci-fi epic from the dynamic duo that brought us masterpieces such as Spider-Verse and The Lego Movie: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. The plot follows Ryland Grace: an ordinary science teacher that is thrust into the jaws of space and forced to save the solar system from the deadly microorganism that is causing every star to die: astrophage. What forms the crux of the story is his perilous journey and heartwarming friendship with the alien lifeform: Rocky.
The Full Picture
Let’s start with the positives. Ryan Gosling delivers a powerhouse performance, effortlessly blending emotional scenes that leave a lasting impact on you with laugh-out-loud humour that will have you chuckling with glee. Drew Goddard’s screenplay is extremely tight, not leaving any room for plot holes or languor. The cinematography and camerawork by Greig Fraser is absolutely breathtaking, utilising IMAX cameras that allow the film to burst with vivid colours and grand shots that encapsulate the vastness and beauty of space, while allowing the viewer to form a quiet connection with Grace and Rocky.
Not only were the visuals breathtaking, but the whole film was shot organically, not using a single green screen or even the slightest sliver of CGI. Big kudos to the directors for achieving such a feat while not compromising the visual quality. The editing by Joel Negron is perfect, allowing the viewer to be fully immersed into this world without a single moment of boredom. Daniel Pemberton delivers another masterclass (following his work on Spider-Verse and King Arthur), crafting a score that pulses with tension in its most gripping moments, yet knows exactly when to soften, pulling you into something far more emotional and heartfelt than you expect.
