The trailer for The Martian shows us that Watney, in his efforts to survive, is finally able to reach his colleagues at NASA, people who initially assumed that he was dead. Their shocking realization that Watney survived leads NASA to deploy a rescue mission to save him.
However going to Mars, apparently, isn’t like going away to a nearby resort town for the weekend. With NASA’s estimated time of arrival being 4 years later, Watney must employ his creativity and knowledge if he is to have any shot at being alive when the rescue crew gets to him.
Like I wouldn’t be surprised if Watney started talking to a Martian volleyball.
Just as Interstellar did, this film seems to be taking a scientific approach to a science fiction plot. From the trailer we see the struggles Damon’s character faces, including growing plants on a planet that is otherwise bare, using duct tape to seal his helmet, and trying to remain sane while he awaits his rescue. All this is also complemented by impressive landscapes and set design that greatly resembles that seen in both Interstellar and Gravity (which both won awards for visual effects).
In the tour video we are introduced to crewmembers Rick Martinez (Michael Pena), Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain), Chris Beck (Sebastian Stan), Alex Vogel (Aksel Hennie), and Beth Johanssen (Kate Mara). As the tour guide, Watney goes on to interview the crewmembers about different aspects of the mission and life on Hermes, including the food and the ship’s planned trajectory to Mars. By deciding to hype The Martian with a seemingly behind-the-scenes sneak into the character’s reality, I think there is an added dimension to the movie outside of the given suspense and action that is often associated with the sci-fi genre.
With the ability to create such detailed visuals with the help of continuously advancing CGI technology, I think this film has the potential to bring to life an inventive story that incorporates both the realities of science and the unknown world of space of travel.
Here’s the official synopsis for The Martian:
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring “the Martian” home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, THE MARTIAN features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.