In a phrase: Uplifting sci-fi (apparently that’s not an oxymoron)
Where to get it: Coming out Oct. 2
What makes Ridley Scott’s new film, “The Martian,” so hip is its unrelenting insistence on being the exact opposite. The main character, an astronaut stranded on Mars played by Matt Damon, isn’t suave or charming. Rather, he’s an intellectual, self-admitted nerd who saves the day with his grasp of scientific principles, not with his ripped biceps and catlike reflexes. The movie doesn’t try to characterize its setting, Mars, by only capitalizing on the inherent awesomeness of space, but instead tries to appeal to NASA nerds by keeping the details as scientifically accurate as possible.
The film stands out as a bold attempt to appeal to an audience of Trekkies and space nerds who are often relegated to fringe entertainment. It also boosts support for space exploration at a time when NASA may actually have the technology to send people to Mars for real.