Graphic Made by Leah Ioane
Project Hail Mary is a science fiction movie directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Based on the book by Andy Weir, who is also the author of The Martian. I went into this movie not knowing what to expect. I had seen a few clips of the movie on Instagram, but that was it.
The movie follows a middle school science teacher named Ryland Grace, who wakes up on a spaceship miles from earth. He has no idea why he is there or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he comes to understand he is here to find out how to stop the sun from dying. If he can not, millions of people on earth die within the next few years.
This movie had all the right elements that were perfectly incorporated. It takes you on a full circle of emotions, while also delving into the science behind the goals of the characters. But it differs from the book quite a bit, by taking to a more family friendly version.
Book vs. Movie
There are a few key differences between the book and the movie. One being the cooperation of all the world’s countries in working towards the same goal. In the movie, it sets Grace right in the middle of all of them working together, while the book demonstrates political and power struggles between the countries.
Another one, being as the main problem in the book was that the sun was dying, was the plan to nuke Antarctica. By doing so, it would warm up the earth, and keep everyone from freezing to death. This plan was entirely left out from the movie, or even mentioned.
When dealing with character differences, Eva Stratt is a much more ruthless character within the book than the movie. In the movie, she is still a women who wants Project Hail Mary to launch by any means necessary, but she is seen as a softer, more understanding character with Grace.
A major plot line that was taken out of the movie was something known as the coma gene. This gene is only found in 1 in 7,500 people. It allows someone to be put in a deep enough sleep to survive the four year journey to the only star not effected by what was causing the sun to die.
Not surprisingly, the movie cut out quite a bit fo the scientific aspects of Project Hail Mary, and how it is being completed. They left in parts of it that needed explaining, which were easy to comprehend and tied the science into the story still without completely cutting it out.
The movie completely added a brand new character as well, continuing the overall happy feel of the movie, Officer Carl. He is introduced with Stratt, and stayed with grace through his research. He added comedy to the movie, and gave the movie more depth as it continues on.
Overall
Despite all the differences, the movie is incredible. It is a heart warming story and an easy watch. A movie that can be enjoyed by most ages. I can not wait for it to come to streaming services to watch it again.
