Watney (Matt Damon) and crew
Starts a garden.
Explores Mars.
THE MARTIAN
By Marlene Ardoin
Ridley Scott’s, The Martian, examines a conflict built around the moral choice of abandoning an individual on the planet Mars due to expense and difficulty. Watney (Matt Damon) is at first believed dead, but when NASA discovers that he has survived, they have to make a choice. Thank goodness, their decision is not based upon whether they like Watney, or not. Although, they do balance his life against that of the whole crew.
This film is also about the potential of creativity in humankind. The main character, Watney (Matt Damon) breaks the invisible barrier in an effort to survive alone on Mars. He does not make the mistake of seeing himself as the center of the universe, because, if he is to survive, he needs others.
Matt Damon’s sense of humor and self-confidence makes this film engaging. He remains undaunted by the mistakes, stays ever optimistic, and we are rewarded by the joy of his success. He seems to relish the peace of being on his own and of having the freedom to try out his ideas without any opposition.
As a result of this film, I keep seeing articles about astronauts attempting to grow plants in outer space. Humans really need plants. They give us oxygen and eliminate pollutants from our air, which is vital to our survival. Watney proclaims, “I am the greatest botanist on this planet!” He was not just surviving, he was making history.
I am wondering how a film gets 7 Academy Award nominations, but the director is left off the list? Ridley Scott deserves a little recognition as director.
The general public was wondering where this film was filmed. Wadi Rum in Jordan was the backdrop for Mars in the filming of The Martian. Jordan is a very convincing environment for Mars.
3/13/16 # The Martian