I loved the book. But really disliked Will Wheaton in Martian, also.
*** PROJECT HAIL MARY *** (Ryan Gosling)
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Last: 11 hrs ago by Rudyjax
I realized today that the book and movie have almost a different genre. The book is more sci-fi "solve the problem" book where the movie is more emotional. It's basically a buddy cop or rom-com movie.
Had some interesting conversations today with folks who had and hadn't read the book and saw the movie this weekend.
Ultimately everyone that didn't read the book, loved it.
Those who read the book mostly loved it - but the science pieces being removed seemed to be the one detractor. Comparing to the Martian is most of the argument, but I just don't see a way you can have as much science prevalent when balancing the emotional bonds with Rocky.
The Martian didn't have this other story to balance - it was him alone - giving it more time to dive into the science. Both movies had the 'back on earth' pieces to balance the space story - but PHM had to build an entirely different dynamic along with the science.
I love both books and I love both movies an ultimately it's just hard to deliver everything in 2.5 hours - and I thought both movies focused and delivered on their main focus.
Ultimately everyone that didn't read the book, loved it.
Those who read the book mostly loved it - but the science pieces being removed seemed to be the one detractor. Comparing to the Martian is most of the argument, but I just don't see a way you can have as much science prevalent when balancing the emotional bonds with Rocky.
The Martian didn't have this other story to balance - it was him alone - giving it more time to dive into the science. Both movies had the 'back on earth' pieces to balance the space story - but PHM had to build an entirely different dynamic along with the science.
I love both books and I love both movies an ultimately it's just hard to deliver everything in 2.5 hours - and I thought both movies focused and delivered on their main focus.
htownag08 said:
Had some interesting conversations today with folks who had and hadn't read the book and saw the movie this weekend.
Ultimately everyone that didn't read the book, loved it.
Those who read the book mostly loved it - but the science pieces being removed seemed to be the one detractor. Comparing to the Martian is most of the argument, but I just don't see a way you can have as much science prevalent when balancing the emotional bonds with Rocky.
The Martian didn't have this other story to balance - it was him alone - giving it more time to dive into the science. Both movies had the 'back on earth' pieces to balance the space story - but PHM had to build an entirely different dynamic along with the science.
I love both books and I love both movies an ultimately it's just hard to deliver everything in 2.5 hours - and I thought both movies focused and delivered on their main focus.
The reason why i love the martian so much more is the pay off. It seemed, well, small in this movie.
I wish they had done the scene and made it years later that Grace saved Earth. I think that would've had a more emotional impact.
69 year old Grace struggling to move. He heats uo his food then you realize he's not on Earth. And then rocky tells him and he cries. then he teaches the Eridian kids.
Then go to Earth where he is considered a hero.
Just my thoughts. i think that would've closed with a bigger emotional BANG.
Rudyjax said:htownag08 said:
Had some interesting conversations today with folks who had and hadn't read the book and saw the movie this weekend.
Ultimately everyone that didn't read the book, loved it.
Those who read the book mostly loved it - but the science pieces being removed seemed to be the one detractor. Comparing to the Martian is most of the argument, but I just don't see a way you can have as much science prevalent when balancing the emotional bonds with Rocky.
The Martian didn't have this other story to balance - it was him alone - giving it more time to dive into the science. Both movies had the 'back on earth' pieces to balance the space story - but PHM had to build an entirely different dynamic along with the science.
I love both books and I love both movies an ultimately it's just hard to deliver everything in 2.5 hours - and I thought both movies focused and delivered on their main focus.
The reason why i love the martian so much more is the pay off. It seemed, well, small in this movie.
I wish they had done the scene and made it years later that Grace saved Earth. I think that would've had a more emotional impact.
69 year old Grace struggling to move. He heats uo his food then you realize he's not on Earth. And then rocky tells him and he cries. then he teaches the Eridian kids.
Then go to Earth where he is considered a hero.
Just my thoughts. i think that would've closed with a bigger emotional BANG.
I thin that's a definite book reader / movie goer split. Going in my fondest wish for the movie was that he ends up on Eridian, not Earth, so was really happy that delivered.
I think the whole point of not going back to Earth is that he's got a better friendship and truer connection with Rocky than anyone on Earth. Seems like most scientists of that level of brilliance would have a hard time moving to an alien planet to live.
I meant the movie goes to Earth, not that Grace goes to Earth.
I would expect any true genius scientist to want to go to another planet and be the first to do it and immerse themselves in whatever they could learn from another species.
CharleyKerfeld said:Rudyjax said:htownag08 said:
Had some interesting conversations today with folks who had and hadn't read the book and saw the movie this weekend.
Ultimately everyone that didn't read the book, loved it.
Those who read the book mostly loved it - but the science pieces being removed seemed to be the one detractor. Comparing to the Martian is most of the argument, but I just don't see a way you can have as much science prevalent when balancing the emotional bonds with Rocky.
The Martian didn't have this other story to balance - it was him alone - giving it more time to dive into the science. Both movies had the 'back on earth' pieces to balance the space story - but PHM had to build an entirely different dynamic along with the science.
I love both books and I love both movies an ultimately it's just hard to deliver everything in 2.5 hours - and I thought both movies focused and delivered on their main focus.
The reason why i love the martian so much more is the pay off. It seemed, well, small in this movie.
I wish they had done the scene and made it years later that Grace saved Earth. I think that would've had a more emotional impact.
69 year old Grace struggling to move. He heats uo his food then you realize he's not on Earth. And then rocky tells him and he cries. then he teaches the Eridian kids.
Then go to Earth where he is considered a hero.
Just my thoughts. i think that would've closed with a bigger emotional BANG.
I thin that's a definite book reader / movie goer split. Going in my fondest wish for the movie was that he ends up on Eridian, not Earth, so was really happy that delivered.
I think the whole point of not going back to Earth is that he's got a better friendship and truer connection with Rocky than anyone on Earth. Seems like most scientists of that level of brilliance would have a hard time moving to an alien planet to live.
I read the book, and the science was fascinating, I nerded out on the scientific process of problem solving.
But for me, the slow realization by Grace that he is a coward at heart, yet finding a true friendship that he is willing to sacrafice his life for was the story. He wouldn't give his life willingly to go on PHM and potentially save all of mankind, but he ultimately decided to willingly give his life to save Rocky. The movie could have put more emphasis on his impending doom of turning the ship around, it was a decision to die so Rocky could live.
Edit to add - there was a scene where Grace had written on a dry erase board something to the effect, what would I be willing to die for? It was very quick, but definitely important to the story.
agsquirrel97 said:CharleyKerfeld said:Rudyjax said:htownag08 said:
Had some interesting conversations today with folks who had and hadn't read the book and saw the movie this weekend.
Ultimately everyone that didn't read the book, loved it.
Those who read the book mostly loved it - but the science pieces being removed seemed to be the one detractor. Comparing to the Martian is most of the argument, but I just don't see a way you can have as much science prevalent when balancing the emotional bonds with Rocky.
The Martian didn't have this other story to balance - it was him alone - giving it more time to dive into the science. Both movies had the 'back on earth' pieces to balance the space story - but PHM had to build an entirely different dynamic along with the science.
I love both books and I love both movies an ultimately it's just hard to deliver everything in 2.5 hours - and I thought both movies focused and delivered on their main focus.
The reason why i love the martian so much more is the pay off. It seemed, well, small in this movie.
I wish they had done the scene and made it years later that Grace saved Earth. I think that would've had a more emotional impact.
69 year old Grace struggling to move. He heats uo his food then you realize he's not on Earth. And then rocky tells him and he cries. then he teaches the Eridian kids.
Then go to Earth where he is considered a hero.
Just my thoughts. i think that would've closed with a bigger emotional BANG.
I thin that's a definite book reader / movie goer split. Going in my fondest wish for the movie was that he ends up on Eridian, not Earth, so was really happy that delivered.
I think the whole point of not going back to Earth is that he's got a better friendship and truer connection with Rocky than anyone on Earth. Seems like most scientists of that level of brilliance would have a hard time moving to an alien planet to live.
I read the book, and the science was fascinating, I nerded out on the scientific process of problem solving.
But for me, the slow realization by Grace that he is a coward at heart, yet finding a true friendship that he is willing to sacrafice his life for was the story. He wouldn't give his life willingly to go on PHM and potentially save all of mankind, but he ultimately decided to willingly give his life to save Rocky. The movie could have put more emphasis on his impending doom of turning the ship around, it was a decision to die so Rocky could live.
Edit to add - there was a scene where Grace had written on a dry erase board something to the effect, what would I be willing to die for? It was very quick, but definitely important to the story.
need to make it a meme that says Aggie Football National Title
So I guess we're just outright spoiling the ending in this thread now?
That said... yes, this absolutely needed to be underlined way more. As-is, in the moment, it felt so weird that they waited until toward the end to reveal that Grace had initially been a coward. In fact, it kind of killed all thrill/momentum for me. And I got that he finally wasn't a coward in the present-day/space timeline, but it could have been so much better connected/emphasized. For instance, we needed to SEE him actually remember that he was a coward and thus, now, is actively choosing not to be in order to save Rocky. Cause and effect. But instead, those moments just didn't feel connected at all. Or maybe I need to see it again?
That said... yes, this absolutely needed to be underlined way more. As-is, in the moment, it felt so weird that they waited until toward the end to reveal that Grace had initially been a coward. In fact, it kind of killed all thrill/momentum for me. And I got that he finally wasn't a coward in the present-day/space timeline, but it could have been so much better connected/emphasized. For instance, we needed to SEE him actually remember that he was a coward and thus, now, is actively choosing not to be in order to save Rocky. Cause and effect. But instead, those moments just didn't feel connected at all. Or maybe I need to see it again?
This guy needs to start reading the books . . .
TCTTS said:
So I guess we're just outright spoiling the ending in this thread now?
That said... yes, this absolutely needed to be underlined way more. As-is, in the moment, it felt so weird that they waited until toward the end to reveal that Grace had initially been a coward. In fact, it kind of killed all thrill/momentum for me. And I got that he finally wasn't a coward in the present-day/space timeline, but it could have been so much better connected/emphasized. For instance, we needed to SEE him actually remember that he was a coward and thus, now, is actively choosing not to be in order to save Rocky. Cause and effect. But instead, those moments just didn't feel connected at all. Or maybe I need to see it again?
Bruce Willis' character is actually dead, which is why everyone ignores him except the "I see dead people" kid
Quad Dog said:
I realized today that the book and movie have almost a different genre. The book is more sci-fi "solve the problem" book where the movie is more emotional. It's basically a buddy cop or rom-com movie.
It is definitely a buddy flick which is why I drew the parallel with Enemy Mine. Two guys out on their own who learn to rely on each other and solve a problem. And I was OK with that.
Sorry I didn't realize this wasn't the spoiler thread.
I think every flashback is him remembering that moment in real time. I think he has the big reveal while touring Rocky's ship and has a big emotional response to it
I've heard that the book treats the flashbacks as him slowly but surely remembering those memories in the present. But watching the movie I didn't get that impression at all. There doesn't seem to be any awareness/acknowledgment on his part that he's starting to remember. That said, I do probably need to see it again to pick up on anything along those lines. Especially the Rocky's ship thing you just mentioned, as that definitely didn't register for me.
I will echo others that I really enjoy the science-y aspect of Andy Weir's books so the reduced prominence of it in this movie was a slight disappointment but the movie is still very enjoyable without it.
I think it could have actually worked that he didn't recover his memory but the movie still shows how much he grew, whether he realized it or not.
I hope there is a LOTR-esque extended edition that has some of the stuff being discussed here.
The few people I've talked to who read the book and saw the movie 2x (myself included) all enjoyed it more the second time through once they got over the book compare and just watched the movie.
2008and1 said:
The few people I've talked to who read the book and saw the movie 2x (myself included) all enjoyed it more the second time through once they got over the book compare and just watched the movie.
I plan to see it again for that reason.
Rudyjax said:2008and1 said:
The few people I've talked to who read the book and saw the movie 2x (myself included) all enjoyed it more the second time through once they got over the book compare and just watched the movie.
I plan to see it again for that reason.
My daughter read the book and loved both the movie and the book. We plan to go see it a second time, this time in IMAX
Burdizzo said:Rudyjax said:2008and1 said:
The few people I've talked to who read the book and saw the movie 2x (myself included) all enjoyed it more the second time through once they got over the book compare and just watched the movie.
I plan to see it again for that reason.
My daughter read the book and loved both the movie and the book. We plan to go see it a second time, this time in IMAX
I saw it in imax but want to see it on a true imax
Rudyjax said:2008and1 said:
The few people I've talked to who read the book and saw the movie 2x (myself included) all enjoyed it more the second time through once they got over the book compare and just watched the movie.
I plan to see it again for that reason.
I Need to do the same.
Burdizzo said:Rudyjax said:2008and1 said:
The few people I've talked to who read the book and saw the movie 2x (myself included) all enjoyed it more the second time through once they got over the book compare and just watched the movie.
I plan to see it again for that reason.
My daughter read the book and loved both the movie and the book. We plan to go see it a second time, this time in IMAX
The scene where he takes the readings from Adrian make the pricey Imax ticket really worth it. It's hard to be breath-taking in this day and age, but that really was amazing.
Anyone else feel like the "Council of Elrond" would've been a much more fitting name for Project Hail Mary than it was for the operation in The Martian?
Considering this one was about saving the world rather than one guy.
Considering this one was about saving the world rather than one guy.
Maybe, but I believe that LOTR reference was only for the movie, probably due solely to having cast Sean Bean; it wasn't in the book (if AI is to be believed). I'm currently reading the book for the first time, but haven't gotten that far into it just yet.
They should have done super deep cut and had Sean Bean said, "The Council of Elrond is from Lord of the Rings where the wise man Boromir unites the forces of good to save Middle Earth"
Brian Earl Spilner said:
Anyone else feel like the "Council of Elrond" would've been a much more fitting name for Project Hail Mary than it was for the operation in The Martian?
Considering this one was about saving the world rather than one guy.
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