“Project Hail Mary” (2026) is Best When Experienced with the Heart (Part II of II)

(Continued from Part I)

Gosling’s acting skills are on full display in this film. He’s one of the greatest actors of his generation, and only an actor with his level of skill can pull off the initial scenes in which he’s wondering all alone in the spacecraft. He may not be at the level of Tom Hanks in “Cast Away” (2000), but he’s certainly on par with Matt Damon in “The Martian” (2015).

Gosling got a lot of help from screenplay by Drew Goddard and direction by the Phil Lord and Christopher Miller duo. The story of why Grace ended up on the mission is told through a series of well-executed flashbacks that develops a sense of mystery fitting for a sci-fi film.

There are a couple things that are a bit odd about the film, though.

For starters, the movie has an unusual tone. From the very beginning, in scenes that are actually quite serious, the atmosphere created by the music is rather jovial. This could have been literally tone-deaf, but it ultimately works in the context of what the film is trying to do. Despite the underlying premise, this movie is quite funny.

And the film’s purpose is important because, while it’s science fiction, it isn’t trying to compete in that genre. The premise of “Project Hail Mary” is reminiscent of Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” (2014), yet it’s hard to compare the two because they feel so different. “Interstellar” was the geek’s dream sci-fi film; there were numerous lectures and seminars dedicated to explaining the science behind it. It’s unlikely that similar social phenomenon will occur with “Project Hail Mary” because the filmmakers don’t seem much interested in explaining the science behind the astrophage or how Rocky and Grace are able to communicate.

The movie also isn’t the most mesmerizing in the visuals. It’s not that the $250 million budget was thrown into the winds. There are plenty of signs of where the money went, particular when Grace goes on a daring in-space expedition into Tau Ceti’s atmosphere. But in this most action-packed scene, there’s so much fast camera cuts that it’s hard to follow what’s happening on-screen.

All this isn’t to take anything away from the film, just putting it into context. This film is better appreciated as a human/alien drama rather than as a science fiction. It’s better to experience it with the heart rather than the brain.

And in that regard, the film is a triumph. What could be more heartfelt than a friendship that cuts across multiple galaxies, between species that have little in common? This film will leave the audience feeling great about friends, long after the end credits roll.