aletheiafelinea | Seen a movie: The Martian

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Seen a movie: The Martian

No spoilers. Somehow I managed… I think so?

I was anxious about this movie; I always am when it comes to adaptations of books I love. That’s why I went without checking anything and knowing nothing about it. Fresh mind, no prejudices, no expectations as far as possible and all that. Okay, apart of who’s playing Mark. That was rather impossible to avoid…

To my relief, it wasn’t half bad. I wasn’t really blown away, but I’m not disappointed, too. What I haven’t really expected (or rather, expected the exact opposite :P ) was that it would turn out a faithful adaptation. No usual “based on motives”, you know that one: “Oh, it’s perfect and we must bring it to the screen; we’ll only rewrite the plot, make new characters from the scratch and kick out the original ones, and of course put it all in different setting.” Thankfully, not this time. Actually, it makes the impression as if they made the movie fully aware they’re making it for the book’s fans, and decided that everyone who’s going to watch it have read the book anyway. Up to the point that those in the audience who haven’t, won’t know what is Mark’s reply when he’s warned to mind his language, because he’s being broadcasted to the whole Earth. Granted, it wasn’t a terribly sophisticated reply, but still it’s a loss. :) I kind of waited for it, damn you, Hollywood…

Still, it’s adaptation, so changes was unavoidable. To my even bigger relief, they turned out more improving than damaging. Losses are regrettable but justified – the book is not exactly a novelette, and it’s a (not very long) movie, not a TV show. So, no stone Morse telegraph, no making soil from sterile dirt, no dust storm, no descend down the Schiaparelli’s slope. And most of what is – the potato farm, Pathfinder, the accident with the air lock – is very, very shortened and simplified. The whole journey to Schiaparelli feels very short. Actually, the whole movie doesn’t feel like taking a year and half… More like months, at best.

On the other hand, the whole thing in a way is closer to the first, unabridged version of the book. No, it doesn’t have the last scene that version had, but in its place it has a whole patchwork of similar scenes that have been added there. I have mixed feelings about it, same as about other major changes. Usually I hate when it happens to an adapted thing, but here most of it wasn’t bad. The biggest improvement has occurred where the book’s weakest point was, this being the characters. Except Mark, that is. I was a bit ‘meh’ about Matt Damon. Yeah, he fits the role so much he was an obvious choice, but I wished for some less popular face… In watching this didn’t turn out too big an obstacle, but I prefer the book’s Mark. And nothing will keep me from seeing him still as on the cover. *shrug* :) What I regret a little, is that the story’s general balance has been shifted toward the Earth parts. Now it’s more equal, and Mark gets less screentime. Then again, as I said, the other characters has been improved, which means mostly the NASA team, and embarrassingly I found them often more interesting than Mark himself, which is kinda fail for the movie’s whole idea. In some cases this means mostly good bringing out what was already in the book – the Big Boss is exactly the cold and merciless yet rational and decisive dick he should be *g* – but in some notable cases a new quality has been made. Venkat was a big and happy surprise from his first scenes. I haven’t watched Chiwetel Eijofor before, but he was a great choice; he gave Venkat the life his book version had been lacking and very much needing. But even a bigger surprise was Rich the astrodynamicist, who looks very unlike my private idea (for some reason I saw an elderly and quiet guy, maybe a little balding and overweight), but I’m much happier with the movie version. Someone give this man some supporting role award, okay? :))) Especially for his ~~very late~~ morning mode. And another one for the screenwriter, for adding him the “Sorry, what’s your name?” scene. ♥♥♥ Speaking of surprises, hi, Sean! He did a maybe not particularly outstanding (though only because he had good rivals), but decent enough job, as usual, and as others gave his character what his book version was mostly missing. Sad news for Sebastian Stan’s fans, though – he got about one and half scene, noticeable mostly for, well, fans. I realized it was him not before while writing this post… The only character I found worse than the book version is Mindy Park, who’s originally all competence, quick mind and not taking shit from anyone, but here she’s like a teenager who hasn’t quite believed yet she really works for NASA and omg, big bosses are talking to her!!1! I don’t know, maybe this was the actress’ decision to play her this way, but in such case I don’t like this decision. I had been expectant also for Commander Lewis, but for most of her screentime she turned out a mild disappointment. She seemed somewhat feeble, compared to the book version, who gave off more authority. However, she earned some points in her last scene (yeah, the big one), and this is one of those changes I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, it’s a plot change, and a nonsense one at that (she can not do things like this; she’s the main Commander, for sanity’s sake); on the other hand, it works. That is, in movie terms.

Um, about that. In general, The Martian aims more at realistic than flashy. Like, “scenes in China are spoken in Chinese entirely” realistic. Still, the plot, or precisely speaking the ending, got some corrective surgery for more ‘wow’ factor. Part of me grumbles; other part says “who cares, it worked.” (Okay, the Iron Man was too much. :P Broadcasting the Hermes’ channel to the whole Earth, live and unfiltered, too. Not blaming the movie for this, though. *shrug* This one is on the book.) Also in terms of art, realistic didn’t mean ugly this time, even though I don’t think this movie is to be seen on the nominees list for the Best Photos Oscar (to be frank, as well as the rest of the movie; its strongest part is acting). The Martian’s Mars is rocky and mountainous, and not really looking like a perfect choice for a landing spot, but nice for watching. I liked also Hermes the mother ship’s look, with its gravitation wheel. And the scene with the safety belt, especially the last frames of it, looked really great. On the other hand, speaking of looks, can someone kindly explain me why orange is apparently the bestest color for suits on Mars…? >_<

I’m a little unhappy that the movie’s (and Mark's) final message is the nice and good but still hackneyed “When you think everything is lost, and you will, keep fighting” in place of the original “I’m no one really important, and yet the whole Earth wants me back, no matter the price, because the human herd leaves no one behind.” I wouldn’t call it a really great movie, but it was an enjoyable movie. Though mostly for a fan. :)

PS. The movie too, as the book, doesn’t explain why Mark had no his own entertainment storage, and therefore why Lewis’ music makes the soundtrack.

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I can, occassionally, just sit back and enjoy the ride, and be prepared to not understand every single thing. And sometimes I surprise myself that I DO actually know a thing or two. My brother educates me ;)

And sometimes a picture speaks more than a thousand words. It only sunk in how hard any long range communication would be after watching that Stargate episode where Jack and Teal'c were lost in space... literally... and had to wait half an hour for a reply after they sent a message... I also know much more about Egyptian mythology now but that's another story.

So those people that sign up for a real Mars mission - without a ticket back home - do they really know what they get themselves into? Obviously, there won't be any internet or skyping with the family back home.

That trailer really blew me away - it's what a good trailer is supposed to do, after all. You won't discourage me ;)

Let's talk again once I have seen it!

Hopefully it will do the screen magic also this time, if you still want to give it a try. :)

So those people that sign up for a real Mars mission - without a ticket back home - do they really know what they get themselves into? Obviously, there won't be any internet or skyping with the family back home.
Skyping no, but Internet, why not. Only what limits them is the ability of the connection. What they would have is basically a very long-range wireless net. Those in the movie get messages from home - attachment files and all - in packages of data. I mean their families, of course, because their connection with NASA is more constant, and the last scenes on Hermes are broadcast to Earth live. As the audio channel, I mean. But why without a return ticket? They aren't colonists for Mars; they're just a research mission. First real manned flights to Mars would be the same way after all, like it was with the Moon...

You won't discourage me ;)
Not going to in the least! :D I'm all the more curious of your opinion, as someone in different situation (no book) and a tad different inclinations.

Let's talk again once I have seen it!
Waiting! Have fun!

But why without a return ticket? They aren't colonists for Mars; they're just a research mission.

It's in the contract they sign. As it simply would be not possible to bring them back. There's no rocket base on the Mars, after all. Nor would they be able to build one.

This article says one-way-mission: http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/17/tech/mars-one-final-100/

Sorry, but I simply cannot comprehend someone throwing his life away like that. That there even is serious talk about this... I know the world would not be the world we have today if it weren't for all those explorers that took risks... but this is something else. I rather stay home and enjoy my cinemas and theatre and musicals and travels to the UK! Yes, I'm shallow :)

So, the movie may be science fiction, but in a few years it could be very real.

Ah, but these aren't NASA. They're just some independent wackos. I don't think they have much chances for success... That is, precisely speaking, sure, they can launch some stuff that even might reach the space, but Mars? Come on... Actually, what bothers me most, is not even that someone could accept a one way ticket, but that they can attract people who actually will trust them and their technical abilities. For me it looks like the astronautic equivalent of the alternative medicine, even if they genuinely believe they're able to do it.

As for the theoretical possibility of the journey with no return, NASA is a public organization, they get money from the government. And, as is aptly said in the movie, they won't get financed a single paper clip anymore if they actually lose someone this way. Public opinion and all that... The movie uses the option with a series of missions (where each one leaves stuff for next ones) and... what is the opposite of lander? launcher? ...launchers send in parts and assembled on Mars. I guess there must have been also the part with making the fuel from carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere while waiting between missions (which requires part of the machines set off after assembling and working for some time on their own), but this part wasn't mentioned in the movie.

ETA
Oh, I forgot. The mother ship is only orbiter, of course! It never lands on Mars! Or Earth, for that matter. All the traffic between the space and surface is done by landers and, uh, launchers, if this is the proper name...

Edited 2015-10-06 23:59 (UTC)

Shuttlecrafts! I need to buy a shuttlecraft for my Enterprise crew so they can go on missions.

I heard that with the 3D printers that are available now, it would be possible to set up a base on the moon, and let the printer print all the necessary modules out of moon stones. Sounds like a logic approach, to use what you already have there, instead of bringing it all with you which would cost a lot of money and time.

Not sure if I told you - I work in an engineer's office, drawing plans for houses and bridges. It's all computer nowadays but when I started in 1993, it was still the old fashioned way with ink on paper. I always liked technical drawings.

We do the concrete parts of the buildings, with the reinforcement. So, I am kinda interested in building stuff, or materials to build from, and architecture and groundmaps.

I didn't even know they weren't official... Shows what I know.

Shuttlecrafts! I need to buy a shuttlecraft for my Enterprise crew so they can go on missions.
You certainly do, :) but as for The Martian, I'm not sure if it fits either. I think it implies a thing flying back and forth? Those in The Martian were disposable, you know, this sort where the fuel tank comes off, then next units, until it's nothing but the cabin, already above the atmosphere by that time. And the landers were never shown, but I think they would even look different than the launchers that didn't need the shock-absorption. The landers surely did. I guess they'd be similar to the remains of Pathfinder (which was shown).

It's all computer nowadays but when I started in 1993, it was still the old fashioned way with ink on paper. I always liked technical drawings.
I'm sure it helps with miniature scenes! :)

I forgot to tell you before, but actually back then, when reading the book, my most insistent association was "Robinson in the space", yeah, that too, but also "MacGyver in the space"! After all, Mac tells about chemistry and physics all the time, too. If it watched okay to you, I think The Martian will be as well. Actually, this was what the book had more, and the movie much less...

I didn't even know they weren't official... Shows what I know.
Hey, still more than me, considering that I didn't know they exist, until you said me... *g*

Sadly the only shuttlecraft available is for the smaller figures and will not be in scale with mine. I want to get it nonetheless. It can still be in the background at least. I'll never have a bridge for the same reason :(

After all, Mac tells about chemistry and physics all the time, too.

That is true. In fact, they always left an incredience out, so kids would not start making bombs from ordinary things.

They also said they overstated some facts. Like, the chocolate possibly could create a chemical reaction with that acid in the pilot, but you would need 100 bars of them, not just one.

One evening I came home and the lock of my letter box had been frozen. I couldn't get the key in because of the ice. I stood there and thought: "What would MacGyver do?" Thaw it, obviously. But how? With a hairdryer? No socket nearby. Then I put on the kettle to make hot water and held the steam under it, and it thawed. I was so proud ;)

The next day my co-worker gave me some of the spray people have for their cars. I like my solution better.

Today I read something in the newspaper about Neutrinos. Our university here in Dresden was a part of that latest research. Immediately I had to think of that famous Stargate exchange where Carter says that Neutrinos go through everything, no matter how dense, even you, Colonel right now" and Jack/RDA put on his special look (he likes to play dumb) and asked back: "No matter how dense?" and she blushed ;)

One of the jokes that cannot be transferred to the German dubbing.

This is what I like - it's fun, but it sticks with you and next time there is mentioning of Neutrinos, you certainly remember! Even though of course technobabble in TV series often is simplified or entirely made up. Must be frustrating for people who see all the mistakes.

Hey, still more than me, considering that I didn't know they exist, until you said me... *g*

Really? It was all over the newspapers and news, and it regularly comes up again when the next stage is reached and how many people are still left in the pool.

But the one where they are for a year in that station in Hawaii is NASA, right? It's difficult to keep them apart. I really thought it was all the same.

Sorry to hear it. Maybe they'll make a bigger one some day, too...

One evening I came home and the lock of my letter box had been frozen. I couldn't get the key in because of the ice. I stood there and thought: "What would MacGyver do?" Thaw it, obviously. But how? With a hairdryer? No socket nearby. Then I put on the kettle to make hot water and held the steam under it, and it thawed. I was so proud ;)
*applause* :D

The next day my co-worker gave me some of the spray people have for their cars. I like my solution better.
Sure, I bet it's more ecological. And less easy to run out of it. :)

One of the jokes that cannot be transferred to the German dubbing.
I shudder at the thought that some day everything in Poland can be dubbed too... Hopefully distributors will always be too stingy and hold on the cheaper options.

Must be frustrating for people who see all the mistakes.
Definitely. But then they can write looong analyses taking the thing in question to pieces, which is pure gold especially for the fandom of said thing. Like with those chocolate bars. :)

Really? It was all over the newspapers and news, and it regularly comes up again when the next stage is reached and how many people are still left in the pool.
Scientific whatnots rarely make first pages in Poland... Also, I'd have to actually read them more often than once or twice a year. Actual popular science resources I browse more often, but also in a more random way, and not particularly caring for the freshest of fresh, so... :)

But the one where they are for a year in that station in Hawaii is NASA, right? It's difficult to keep them apart. I really thought it was all the same.
*goes to check* Is it the one called HI-SEAS? Yes, apparently it's NASA's.

*goes to check* Is it the one called HI-SEAS? Yes, apparently it's NASA's.

And after reading the biographies and that they all were scientists I wondered why no doctor... what if someone gets ill? What if someone gets a toothache? If it is really life threatening, obviously they can stop the experiment, but it is meant to be like under real conditions.

I also had to think about that woman in Antarctica who operated her own breast tumor as they couldn't fly her out for months.

And after reading the biographies and that they all were scientists I wondered why no doctor...
Definitely agreed. Doctor should be the first to put on the list.

As for self-surgeries: Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't. Mark Twain was a clever guy...

Funny fandom collision - next Monday will have an episode of "Murdoch Mysteries" where William Shater will play Mark Twain. Look at that moustage!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=towlJoErBNM

Here's an article about that woman from Antarctica. She died ten years later.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/23/obit.jerri.nielsen/index.html?eref=ib_us

Look at that moustage!
Oh my, how dashing! ;D Though I must say if I wasn't told beforehand he's supposed to be Twain, I would never guess... Dr. Watson, maybe. Or Dr. Dolittle. :)

She died ten years later.
I can't decide whether it's more sad or good. She still died, but this was ten years of life more...

LOL Yeah, he said in the interview himself that he doesn't look the part at all but then he is also right that we don't exactly know how Mark Twain spoke or moved in general, as there are no videos from that time, so it is probably easier to make the role his own.

Now that you say it, I think he would make a good Dr. Watson as well! Someone write that, please.

I think it's good. Ten years is nothing to sneeze on.

I recently read that one of the people that survived the original World Trade Center attack in 2001, known as "the dust woman", has died now. Which is pretty sad as well. And apparently her life since wasn't that good also.

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