Scientific fantastic novel Andy Weira Martian He became an instant bestseller when he was published in 2014, but, despite its popularity, it was a strange choice for a large budget film adaptation. Initially, the self-published vyir, the novel largely depends on the internal monologue of the astrobotanist and mechanical engineer Mark Wotn, when he enters into painstaking details about how he survives after he was on the red planet, growing potatoes and removing parts of NASA's old cars. The book is easy in dialogue and difficult in explanations of chemical reactions.
But director Ridley Scott and writer Drew Goddard I shot a fascinating film MartianThe premiere of which took place 10 years ago today on October 2, 2015. Matt Damon perfectly embodies in himself what Watney makes with such a convincing main character: how his attitude to business and disgusting humor cast out the existential fear of the situation when his chances of survival are extremely low. Like the book on which it is based, the film offers a very reasonable science fiction filled with humor and acute sensations. Nevertheless, the creators of the film were supposed to enter into some concessions for Wednesday, spending more time on NASA employees, trying to save Watney and adding more actions to the climax. And these changes occurred due to the two best segments of the book by Weir.
Martian This is a story about calculating calories. Watn is hung up on how much food he needs to live, while NASA tries to find out how to get it more. When the accident destroys the Weuty potato farm and a hastily collected interplanetary packet after launch, the only hope of Watn becomes a crew rescue mission that accidentally left it behind.
Both the book and the film make it clear that this plan, in which the ARS III team participates in the land around the Earth and back to Mars, to save Watn, is extremely risky. Nevertheless, Weir draws a more direct parallel between the danger facing all astronauts.
The ship must catch its own missile in order to have enough food and water to get to Mars and vice versa. If this does not succeed, the team has a painful plan in case of unforeseen circumstances: everyone, except for computer specialist Bet Johansen (in the film played by Kate Mara) would have killed themselves. Bet, chosen by the only survivor, because she is the youngest and smallest, would eat her crew comrades to survive. When Ares III really gets supplies, a lightweight crew jokes about who Beth would eat first. This is some pretty black humor, so I understand why it was cut out, but I still like the narrative, forcing all these characters to fight the cruel nature of survival in space. It also demonstrates that they literally die for each other, and not only for the salvation of Watney.
Adaptation to the film also reduces the longest section Martian In favor of spending more time from the rescue mission that occurs in space. In the book, Watney loses the ability to communicate with NASA, leaving it on his own devices for the last section of history. Watn then must go to the vehicle intended for the future mission of Mars. This trip is in danger from a dusty storm, which will prevent the charge of the solar elements of his rover and will ultimately leave him in a difficult position. NASA knows that the storm is going on, but he cannot warn him. They remain in anticipation of seeing if Watny will find out what was happening and adjusting his plans, or all the work that they did to save him will turn out to be meaningless.
Again, it is not surprising that this part was cut out of the film. The ongoing dialogue between Watn and other characters makes the film more dynamic. But some of me still want Goddard and Scott to be slightly heavier and rely on Damon to hold the scenes where he is fighting only elements, and the cast is placed in the same role as the audience: Hoping helplessly for the best.
Goddard returns to the work of Weira with the adaptation of his 2021 Roman The project welcomes MaryIN Having released in 2026 and director Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Like MartianThe book is dedicated to an isolated astronaut, using his knowledge and ingenuity to survive. Ryan Gosling will play the same role as Damon: a movie star, quite charismatic to hold a lot of solo scenes, landing Veira's timely humor. I hope that adaptation is as good as MartianBut in any case, it is worth reading the book to see that the transition will not survive.
