The Martian Made Me Feel Like I Was From Another Planet

Ridley Scott has been very hit and miss over his career. Early on, he delivered some classics like Alien, Blade Runner, and Thelma & Louise.  During that first decade or so, he also delivered some stinkers.  Post-Thelma & Louise, while he never returned to his cinematic highs, he still managed to achieve success with films like Gladiator and Black Hawk Down.  And true to form, he still produced even more less than stellar films.  Recently, he has hit this complex middle ground. His last two outings (Prometheus, The Counsellor) both suffered from problematic scripts, but both were also visually dense and at times intoxicating. Now, Scott has followed up those fascinating messes with his biggest crowdpleaser since Gladiator.  The story concerns an astronaut Mark Watney (well-acted by the charming Matt Damon) left on the planet Mars to fend for himself after a windstorm in hopes that NASA will save him before his ingenuity plays out and he depletes his resources.  A bit like Argo set in space except without the political conflict and Hollywood producers (at least on screen)--a cruder example would be a cross between Armageddon and Saving Private Ryan, if you will.  We shuttle between Watney, his team, and NASA, along with other various agents on earth.  The talented survivor is as intelligent as he is optimist, and uses his botany skills to survive, while he hatches a plan to first communicate with NASA, and then facilitate his rescue.  Naturally, one problem arises after another, as he takes a step back, reconfigures his plans, and moves two steps forward.  The film is very push/pull, and provides popcorn entertainment value for its audience, especially those of whom who are really into science.  The film is a respectable lesson in problem-solving and being positive.  

I was able to hang on for about 80 of its 140-minute running time before I started reaching for the eject button.  I was thrilled in parts, but even the few goosebumps I got during the finale were tepid, as I was just exhausted from the long sit of it all. Then again, I had the same issue in the much shorter Gravity.  I could have used less plot and more memorable characters, I suppose. Or maybe not.  Watney's crewmates are quite a bland bunch of characters.  However, at one point, someone enters the story unannounced and basically provides the solution to the problem. He's probably the quirkiest character in the entire film, but even he felt forced and affected. Perhaps this kind of film just isn't for me.  I'm really an outlier here.  

Award Chances
I'm clearly operating at a bias here, but in order for the AMPAS to go in for a crowdpleaser, the film must either carry with it a guise of importance, emotional heft, or major technical achievement/gimmick. This has none of those things, but neither did Gladiator. However, that film took itself more seriously and was a period piece, which gave it a leg up of sorts. This would be something that The Golden Globes would go for, and the PGA possibly. I can't see SAG or BAFTA choosing this flavour.  Especially when the studio will be busy pushing Joy and The Revenant, both films of which would have to be flops in order for 20th-Century Fox to turn to The Martian into their main or secondary award push.  But, if Damon and the movie are going to win the Comedy/Musical Globe, then it has to be considered as a possible Oscar nominee (most make it in).  I don't see it.  But, I could easily be wrong.  Actually, I plan on being wrong.