I had really enjoyed reading Andy Weir's bestselling novel Project Hail Mary, and was delighted to learn that a movie was being made (just like The Martian).
Since it had excellent reviews, Inna and I decided to see it at the Cinemark CinéArts Santana Row movie theater. We chose the 15:25 showing and stopped by at the Augustine cafe (for cappuccinos) before the show. The cappuccinos were not bad, and the apple turnover was not half bad.
At around 15:10, we strolled to Cinemark CinéArts Santana Row (it was lightly raining) and purchased our two seats (they were assigned). Unlike other movie theaters, these seats had built-in reclining and heating!
Before the movie started, we spent about 20 minutes watching previews. Thankfully, I could ignore them. The only film that piqued my interest was Young Washington.
Here is a nice write-up about the movie from ChatGPT:
Few science-fiction films manage to balance large-scale cosmic stakes with genuine emotional warmth, but Project Hail Mary pulls it off brilliantly. Based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, the film follows Ryland Grace, a former science teacher who awakens alone aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he is there. As his memories slowly return, both Grace and the audience uncover the terrifying truth: Earth’s sun is dying, and he has been sent on a desperate one-man mission to save humanity.
What begins as a tense mystery quickly transforms into one of the most engaging science-fiction adventures in years. Through flashbacks, we learn that Earth has discovered a microorganism called “astrophage” that is feeding on the sun’s energy, threatening a catastrophic global cooling event. Humanity’s only hope lies in the distant Tau Ceti star system, the one place where the phenomenon appears not to be occurring. Grace is launched aboard the ship Hail Mary to investigate.
The film’s greatest surprise—and emotional centerpiece—comes when Grace discovers he is not alone in deep space. He encounters Rocky, an alien engineer from another world whose species is facing the same existential threat. What follows is an unexpectedly heartfelt friendship between a human and an alien as the two scientists overcome language barriers, biological differences, and fear to work together. Their relationship becomes the soul of the movie, turning what could have been a standard survival thriller into something deeply memorable. Critics and audiences alike have highlighted Rocky as one of the film’s standout elements.
Ryan Gosling delivers one of his most likable performances as Grace, capturing both the character’s humor and vulnerability. He makes the scientific exposition feel natural and entertaining, and his chemistry with a CGI/puppeted alien is astonishingly believable. The visual effects are spectacular, especially in the depictions of interstellar travel, alien environments, and Rocky's design.
What elevates Project Hail Mary above typical blockbuster sci-fi is its optimism. At its core, this is not just a movie about saving Earth—it is about cooperation, friendship, sacrifice, and the belief that intelligence and compassion can overcome even impossible odds. The ending delivers an emotional payoff that feels earned rather than manipulative, leaving the audience with both wonder and genuine feeling. Reviewers have widely praised the film’s blend of scientific problem-solving, humor, and emotional depth.
If the movie has one flaw, it’s that its runtime can feel a bit long, and some viewers may find the scientific explanations dense at times. But even those slower moments serve the story’s central theme: that science itself can be thrilling when presented with imagination and heart.Final Verdict:
Project Hail Mary is one of the best science-fiction films in recent memory—a rare blockbuster that delivers spectacle, intelligence, humor, and emotional resonance in equal measure. Whether you come for the space adventure or stay for the friendship at its center, this is a film well worth the journey.
After the movie, we stopped by for dinner at Meso Restaurant (Inna had made dinner reservations for 18:15). After being seated with a nice view of the courtyard, we looked at the menu and ordered the following items:
- Housemade Mezze Platter (hummus, smoked eggplant, tzatziki, chips)
- Lamb Kebab (3)
- Beef and Lamb Meatballs (5)
- Fattoush Salad
- Pomegranate Glazed Salmon
I liked the Lamb Kebab and Lamb Meatballs. The Fattoush salad was not bad. The Mezze platter was small and unimpressive. The Glazed Salmon was average. It's not a bad place, but not outstanding either.
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