The film so good it got me to finally start doing these reviews in writing. Is it because I have to wait another week to do it on the podcast? Maybe. But I’ll leave a link to that at the bottom. For anyone interested in the eventual release.

“ I love this movie. I would marry this movie. I would sell all my belongings for this movie. I would die for this movie. I would live for this movie.” - Me

How do I even go about a written review for Project Hail Mary? Or any movie, really. This is the first one and truly it’s because it’s the greatest movie I’ve seen in my entire life (really). I would hate for this review to fall short of anything because the film itself certainly does not.

As I type these words on my laptop, I’ve currently seen Project Hail Mary three times in theaters and plan to see it a fourth time for the IMAX experience. So I think I’m at a good place to lay something out in depth.

Synopsis and pitch

In my own words this movie is about a school teacher being sent out on mission to save the sun from dimming and thus saving the earth.

Recommending this to a friend I would say…well pretty much what I said in the intro. There’s a lot I want to say about the writing in this film. It’s perfect with subliminal messaging about loneliness and bravery. And best I can say is you must see this movie. Truly I have allowed it to change my life for the better.

My approach

I really don’t know if I’ll review this film with a style that holds continuity with any future reviews, So I’m just gonna try my best to write with my thoughts and emotions and see where it takes me. Here is my direct scoring system for Project Hail Mary. (listeners of the podcast will find this system familiar)

Story: 9
Writing: 10
Acting: 9
Music: 10
Sound: 10
Message: 10
Editing: 10
Character: 10
Cinematography: 10
First Impression: 10

Total: 98/100

Rewatchable? Yes

SPOILER LINE

Why the writing matters

If this movie failed to tell me what it’s REALLY about, I would just appreciate the pretty pictures and move on with my life. But this is a great example of movies being a story (that’s good!) versus being a situation (that’s bad!) And here’s why.

After watching the movie, we can all agree that on the surface Project Hail Mary is exactly what it is. A space mission that needs to succeed or else the world dies. Maybe run into an alien in the process. We’ve seen it a hundred times. Which is why I gave the story a 9 and not a 10 because I couldn’t muster a perfect score for an idea that’s so generic on the surface. But what makes it a nine is because it’s my favorite movie in which that happens. And that’s where the REAL writing is. Not in the idea but in the context. The why, who, what, where, type stuff.

What is this movie really about? Being brave. It’s so beautifully simple. A lot of what I say about this film is not about it reinventing the wheel. But making the best wheel we’ve ever seen.

Ryland Grace, our science teacher did NOT want to be on that ship. He didn’t even want to help. He’s a guy who really wants to keep his life simple. He knows what he’s capable of but he doesn’t have the guts to rise to the occasion. And he knew that too. Well…he thought so. And then we proceed to watch him risk his life for a rock alien. Multiple times even. He never saw himself as brave but we watch this man learn how to be brave, and more importantly WHY to be brave. It has what is now one of my favorite quotes.

“ I don’t have the brave gene”
“It’s not a gene. You just need someone to be brave for.”

Dude! Usually I have a hard time recalling exact lines from movies but this is one of those moments where you hear it and immediately know what this film is really about. But what I really enjoy is how the writing kind of taps on more than one message and It’s great to see more movies coming out like this. After thinking about this movie in my alone time I’ve come to a realization of a second message complimentary to not just plot but character as well.

How loneliness adds depth.

Ryland Grace as a character was never really romanticized. Which is really surprising with a Ryan Gosling movie from my perspective. Let’s be real. The dude is a babe and babes make money if they’re on screen. But I was surprised to realize this man had no partner. No arc for potential partners. And it was never really a need for a story like this.

He really was just a single man doing his job and it was never really a problem that sat with him. Yes there was the scene where he was at the bar seeing people coupling up. But I view it more as evidence that the story is in fact touching on interpersonal relationships BUT showcasing his disinterest for the intimate and romantic side of all that. Instead this film is a perfect display of something none of us knew he was yearning for this whole time; A best friend. A perfect little alien Named Rocky. and watching them both be brave FOR each other is exactly how two themes can not only exist but strengthen one another back and forth. Much like our characters.

Technically Stunning

Show me the fact this movie didn’t use green screens and I’ll show you the pants I need to change.

The cinematography, the sound, the score, the editing. All flawless. Given how I watch movies I don’t really feel or notice much from the score. But my current Spotify downloads say otherwise for Project Hail Mary. The score does the job it needs making every big moment feel impactful. Yanks the tears right out of my face. And also quite memorable. So much so I woke up this morning with one of the tunes in my head. I can easily see this score withstanding the test of time.

And yes this film knows exactly when to use silence like all the best films do. When we watch Rocky and Grace hit the wall and it all goes silent, we FEEL the weight in our heart that this is not good. Something we are forced to sit with because the only thing we can hear is our breathe.

For me I always worry about getting lost with movies that pace the way Project Hail Mary does. It’s honestly why I favor original screenplays over book adaptations. Wondering what parts are past and what parts are present. But the cinematography really does a lot of heavy lifting for my small brain.

Every first shot that jumps to a flashback and vise versa is with intention and purpose. In the beginning it uses heavily different tones when it switches. Like a fresh Ryan Gosling and the next frame is a traumatized Ryan Gosling. In the middle it makes logically divisive shots that immediately tell you when we are in the story. Shots like a carrier in the ocean (Oh this scene is on Earth! duh). And once you’re far enough in the film it gets really playful with creative shots. Like an ocean diver toy that looks oddly like the spaceman we cut to in the next frame.

You really can’t be too stupid to keep up with genius pacing like this. I mean it makes a near three hour epic feel like a walk in the park.

The Acting only gets better

Okay now we’ve tapped on every category that I pay attention to when it comes to film. Almost. One of the last things I wanna talk about is the acting. In a field of perfect scores, the acting is one I don’t see as perfect (a nine outta ten is still good by the way!). But why is that?

Ryan Gosling is a guy that has always been one of those names that I knew under an actors list. Even before I cared about any of this industry garb. Stretching back to even when I was a child. My mother always claimed that my stepfather—who has since passed as of almost 6 years ago—Always looked like Ryan Gosling. Which is certainly left to the beholder. But if you asked me I would definitely cast Ryan in the biopic. ANYWAYS! Reason I bring that up is now I kinda have a soft spot for the guy.

I didn’t really see any of Gosling’s movies until Barbie. Loved his performance. Then I saw The Fall Guy. Loved that too. And now seeing Project Hail Mary I’ve got a good scope of how he is on screen.

By the first time I saw this, it really just felt like Ryan Gosling in space. Not a lot of range in this performance. But then I pondered if he even needed to be anything more than that. And so I saw it a second time. And I suddenly started seeing the weight of his acting performance. Yes, he’s a little bit of himself in this film. Dare I say a tad bit of Ken. But put anyone else in this role and the story will not hit like it does. Ryan Gosling had to be on screen by himself for the bulk of the film. Gosling even stated in an interview that he befriended a mop after so many days on set by himself. Isolation like this takes talent to keep the story interesting, despite how lovable the rock alien is that he pairs with. There can only be so much presence fulfilled by James Ortiz our voice actor for Rocky. Which I have no notes for. He’s adorable.

Small Things I loved

These are thoughts that don’t necessarily fit in any other sections of this article but I feel needs to be said.

Usually if something is a comedy that I expect to be serious (because I don’t watch trailers) I usually hate it. But alas, this movie is constantly breaking all my personal rules of how I feel about cinema.

This movie almost takes me back to when I was a kid and didn’t over analyze the stuff I watched. Of course I’m analyzing this movie more than any other film, given the existence of this article. But I almost wish I’d be taken back to that time in my life because this movie is such a feel good ride that I wish it was real. I don’t even wanna hear or see the voice actor for Rocky because I just want to be a kid again and pretend he is a real alien on a real planet called Erid. Because thinking otherwise makes me sad and I just want what’s best for that little guy. He has my heart for sure.

And last random tidbit that currently resides in the memory bank is how this is a movie that is for everyone. I don’t have to warn anyone of the content warning. No cussing. No nudity. And even taps ever so slightly on the concept of God. Emotionally there’s literally nothing to dislike about this film. Not one thing.

Final Comments

If you read this far without having seen the movie yet, thanks for letting me spoil some things. I still think we are all but obligated to see such a film in our lifetime. Please do yourself a favor and see this as soon as possible. And if you have seen it, you might understand when I say this movie gives me hope.

The ending is so satisfying. Almost open ended. But what brings me joy is how there’s no twist ending. Nothing niche. Just a feel good happily ever after. And in an industry constantly trying to innovate, Project Hail Mary feels like a fresh glass of water. A reminder that movies can just be a beautifully heartfelt pastime.

What I take away from this film is probably giving it too much credit. But as an indie director and writer, it has motivated me to be brave myself. And as a man it has reminded me to be okay with being alone and embracing all the friends I have. I can’t get over how much I love this movie because of those two reasons.

It caught me in a declining mental chapter in my life and it’s helping me pick myself back up. Face the challenges of each day because there are people betting on me to succeed. Despite how scary it can be, I do it. And that’s what it is to be brave.

As I sit here, still thinking I haven’t spilled even half my thoughts on this film. I hope you’ve come this far. I’m listening to the film score right now as I say these final words. Completely in the dark other than the computer light hitting my face. I’m in my element and this movie is to blame. I’m going to tackle life again. I’m going to do the things I love doing again. And I’m going to enjoy it.

Thank you everyone attached to Project Hail Mary, truly the hardest movie to nitpick because this is the closest we will ever get to perfect.

I give this movie one big thumbs down. And to the person needing a pick me up right now…WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!

I love you. rubs forearm

Project Hail Mary