The Martian is a refreshing and nearly revolutionary twist on modern cinema that is so typically plagued with overused plot lines and predictable genres. Toppling any October debut ever, The Martian brought in $55 million in its opening weekend (foxnews.com).

Based on the popular Andy Weir novel of the same name, The Martian has astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon, Bourne Identity) stranded on Mars after his crew presumes his death due to a hard hit by flying debris in a storm.

While any realistic depiction of such a terrifying scenario would result in the astronaut’s rather immediate death, Watney, who is determined to remain alive and make it back to Earth, strategically plots a course for survival.

Damon rather flawlessly portrays the fear and anxiety any audience member cannot help but feel, ensuring his credibility as a noteworthy actor.

Such a bizarre and fictional plotline would ordinarily warrant atypical writing with enormous pressure to engage an audience. The Martian leaves no shortage of such scripture. A man trapped on an abandoned planet with nearly no food and water and no chance to get home has an audience laughing? Yes, in fact it does, thanks to the scattered witty interplay and sly comments by Watney and his comedic crewmate Rick Martinez (Michael Pena, American Hustle).

The explanations offered as to Watney’s survival are cultivated amid ingenious scientific revelations, foreign to any “average Joe.” At times, this terminology reaches such an extent that it was rather distracting and unfollowable.

However, overall the science was brought down to a level understandable to most, making the movie actually more alluring and Watney more heroic.

It was particularly strategic and interesting for the film to jump from Mars, with lonely Watney, to Earth, portraying NASA’s feverish search to find a way to rescue its abandoned astronaut.

Either ironic or coincidental, The Martian happened to debut the weekend after a shocking discovery was found on Mars: remote traces of water.

This unique movie continually portrays the beauty that is humanity. Watney’s courage, fortitude, brain, and determination enable him to survive a year on an uninhabited planet. It is as realistic as science fiction can get, and is a truly inspiring story. Not to mention, the restless action is extremely well done and plunges the audience directly into space with Watney.

With such lackluster movies to look forward to this month, The Martian is definitely the one to see. Filled with angst, humor, intellect, and – of course – Matt Damon, it certainly does not disappoint.

Torch Rater – 4/5