Project Hail Mary is the epitome of “I accidentally became important at my job and it’s ruining my life.” And it’s beautifully tied together with a life-altering friendship between a human and a rock alien. Oh and let’s not forget the awe-inspiring visuals that aren’t afraid of throwing color around, and a soundtrack that makes you feel the DNA of this movie to your very bones.
At the center of the story we have Grace Ryland, played by Ryan Gosling. His character is minding his business. That’s his method of walking through life. He inspires children during school hours and then he rides his bike home to just start the cycle again the next day. And the movie firmly puts him in the category of not being the hero. But it’s more than that. He also believes in his hearts heart that he isn’t the hero.
When you compare Grace to other “fated” heroes in movies, he stands out because he has nothing to be brave for. Yes, he loves his kids and he doesn’t want the world to end. But when the choice is put in front of him to go to space and help save humanity, he goes “Nah. I’m okay.” And he runs. It takes his character waking up in deep space and encountering an alien life form for him to find someone to be brave for.
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Here enters Rocky.
Before watching the movie I knew how much people loved Rocky and the relationship that they had with Grace. So I knew that I was going to like them. But I didn’t know that I was going to like them to the point where I too would give up my life on earth to go and save Rocky. This character was infinitely funny, patient but also exasperated at the same time with Grace, and just as determined to figure out what was going on with the Petrova Line as Grace was.
As their relationship develops, Project Hail Mary makes it abundantly clear that they were the missing link for each other. And it goes to show you that you never know when you’re going to find your purpose. Or that person to fight for. It could come later on in life or thousands of miles away from your planet. But you can find it. That special someone is out there. Someone who makes you laugh but also takes the risks with you. And also someone who is willing to take 6 years longer to get back home so you can get back home too.
Or someone who willingly gives up ever returning to Earth to save you when they didn’t even want to go on this mission in the first place. You can find that. Grace and Rocky found that.
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Their extraordinary friendship is made all the better by all the small choices that went into this production. The music was haunting but inclusive to the point where you had Maori hymns and even Latin American classics. Visually, it was colorful and expansive, yet simple enough for anyone to comprehend. And then the dialogue of it all. Every actor delivered a performance that felt utterly human. Because we too would have dark humor or find a light in the middle of a shit show that could end all life.
The work that Project Hail Mary also put into Rocky was a labor of love. You have James Ortiz who came on as puppeteer alone. And his ability to convey Rocky’s joy, pain, and determination to find a solution, it was just all there. It still blows my mind that he did such a good job at playing Rocky and voicing him that director’s Phil Lord and Christopher Miller decided to keep Ortiz as the voice of the beloved alien Rocky.
When it comes to sci-fi, I love everything about space. And like Grace have never had any desire to visit it. But Project Hail Mary has cornerstone elements of sci-fi that left me feeling like I was watching a once in a lifetime movie about bravery, friendship, but also making the impossible choice after being shoved into it because you got too good at your job. And then this movie just ramped it up with excellent music, stunning visuals, and an ending that feels like it came full circle for Grace in the most unexpected way.
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All of this to say that Project Hail Mary is one of my favorite sci-fi movies I’ve ever watched. And it left the kind of impression on me that will never disappear because of how real Grace’s fears and pain felt. But also everything that came from his friendship with Rocky. It’s the human experience that grounds this movie. And studios are going to be desperate to try and replicate this. All they need to do is remember that we want something to fight for. We want someone to be brave for us. And we want a feeling like no matter what, we can accomplish this and that everything’s going to be okay.
That’s where magic is made. And Project Hail Mary made magic.
Project Hail Mary is now available in theaters.
What did you think of Project Hail Mary? Let us know in the comments below!
