“Project Hail Mary” is a landmark science-fiction movie.
Think “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) meets “Star Trek”(1966) meets “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) meets “La La Land” (2016) meets ”Barbie” (2023).
“La La Land”?
“Barbie”?
Yes, because Ryan Gosling, who starred in “La La Land” and was Ken in the “Barbie” movie,. stars in “Project Hail Mary.”
He’s out of this world: It’s Ken in outer space.
In “Project Hail Mary,” Gosling plays Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher tapped for a deep-space mission 12 light years away to the star Tau Ceti in an attempt to prevent Astrophage, a microorganism parasite, from clouding the sun’s rays and plunging the earth into darkness. Ryland had written a dissertation that brought him to the attention of NASA for the experimental cosmic intervention.
It’s a long shot. Hence, the film’s title.
Gosling is tasked for the mission by Eva Stratt (a never-better Sandra Hüller, Oscar nominee, “Anatomy of a Fall,” 2024, who also starred in “The Zone of Interest,” 2023). Two astronauts (Ken Leung and a memorable Milana Vayntrub) are also on the mission.
Gosling’s acting skills are put to the test as he acts opposite a five-legged rock-like alien from 40 Eridani. He nicknames the creature Rocky, after Rocky Balboa from the movie, “Rocky” (1976).
Gosling is a three time-Oscar nominee (supporting actor, “Barbie,” 2024; actor, “La La Land,” 2017; actor, “Half Nelson,”2007).
Gosling was in “Blade Runner 2049,” 2017; “The Place Beyond the Pines,” 2012; “Blue Valentine,” 2010, and “The Notebook,” 2004. He got his start on TV’s “The New Mickey Mouse Club,” 1993 and 1994.
Gosling is on the screen in nearly every scene of “Project Hail Mary.” He never wears out his welcome. He is a master communicator with a range of facial expressions, from pensive to jovial, to thoughtful to joyful, from ruminative to exuberant, Gosling’s boyish charm is in full force. He has that Kenergy. He also has the gravitas to play it sincere and serious.
Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have marshaled the cinematic universe to bring “Project Hail Mary” to the screen. This is awe and wonder. You really feel as though you are in deep space. The space ship that Gosling is in seems realistic without straining credulity. The alien space ship is beyond description.
The directors move easily between Gosling in space and flashback scenes of his days in the school classroom and when he is recruited to become a space explorer.
“Project Hail Mary,” unlike many science-fiction films and superhero franchise movies, doesn’t weaponize space. He’s not facing off against Star Troopers. Instead, he’s facing a rock.
Moreover, no spoilers here, but the story of Ryland Grace, and not in name alone, can be interpreted as an allegory about a disciple-like figure who bases his salvation on the rock.
Now where can we get that cozy cardigan that Ryland wears?
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller received Oscars, animated feature film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” 2019, and were nominated for Oscars, animated feature film, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” 2024, and for “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” 2022.
They directed “22 Jump Street,” 2014; “The Lego Movie,” 2014; “21 Jump Street,” 2012, and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” 2009.
“Project Hail Mary” is based on the 2021 novel by Andy Weir, who wrote the Oscar-nominated “The Martian,” 2015, starring Matt Damon, directed by Ridley Scott and with a screenplay by Drew Goddard (Oscar nominee, adapted screenplay, “The Martian”; also screenwriter and director, “Bad Times at the El Royale,” 2018; screenwriter, “World War Z,” 2013; screenwriter and director, “The Cabin in the Woods,” 2011; screenwriter, “Cloverfield,” 2008), who wrote the screenplay for “Project Hail Mary.”
Cinematographer is Greig Fraser (Oscar, cinematography, “Dune: Part One,” 2022; Oscar nominee, cinematography, “Dune: Part Two,” 2025, and “Lion,” 2017).
Rocky was designed and built by Neal Scanlan (Oscar, visual effects, “Babe,” 1996) and his creature shop. The puppeteer is James Ortiz.
The soundtrack by Daniel Pemberton (Oscar nominee, original song, “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” 2021), replete with strings and choirs, enhances the enchanting action and astronomical scenes on the screen.
“Project Hail Mary” is spectacular cinema. It brings the excitement of cinema to the big screen.
Look for multiple Oscar nominations, including for director, adapted screenplay, actor (Ryan Gosling) and technical and craft categories.
If you are a fan science-fiction movies and of Ryan Gosling, don’t miss it.
“Project Hail Mary,” MPA rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13) for some thematic material and suggestive references; Genre: Science-Fiction, Adventure; Run time: 2 hours, 36 minutes. Distributed by Amazon MGM Studios.
Credit Readers Anonymous: Tina Turner sings “Glory, Glory” (written by Ike Turner) during the “Project Hail Mary” end credits. Filming was from June to October 2024 in Shepperton Studios, South Parade Pier, Portsmouth, and the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cambridge, all in England. The MGM studio logo in the end credits is astronaut mission patches. And the MGM Lion, instead of its trademark roar, has the vocal sounds of the movie’s alien, Rocky.
At The Movies: “Project Hail Mary” was seen in the Dolby Theatre at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16.
Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, April 3-5: “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” based on the video game, broke all kinds of box office records on the Easter holiday weekend, opening with $130.9 million in 4,252 theaters, $190 million since its April 1 opening.
“Project Hail Mary” dropped one place to No. 2 after its two-week No. 1 run, with a still strong $30.6 million in 3,907 theaters, $217.1 million, three weeks.
3. “The Drama,” starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in the Romance Comedy, $14.3 million in 3,087 theaters, opening. 4. “Hoppers” dropped two places, $5.8 million in 3,290 theaters, $149.6 million, five weeks. 5. “Reminders of Him” dropped one place, $2.2 million in 2,361 theaters, $45.3 million, four weeks. 6. “The Great Awakening,” about the friendship between George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin, was filmed in Lancaster County by Sight & Sound Films, $2.1 million in 1,289 theaters, opening. 7. “They Will Kill You” dropped four places, $1.9 million in 2,778 theaters, $8.7 million, two weeks. 8. “Dhurandhar The Revenge” dropped three places, $1.8 million in 464 theaters, $26 million, three weeks. 9. “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” dropped three places, $1.8 million in 2,050 theaters, $20.1 million, three weeks. 10. “Undertone” dropped one place, $1 million in 370 theaters, $19.5 million, four weeks.
Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of April 5 is subject to change.
Unreel, April 10:
“You, Me & Tuscany,” MPA rated PG-13; 1 hour, 44 minutes. Kat Coiro directs Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page and Marco Calvani in the Romance Comedy. A woman who stays in an Italian villa finds unexpected romance.
“Beast,” MPA rated R; 1 hour, 53 minutes. Tyler Atkins directs Russell Crowe, Daniel MacPherson, Luke Hemsworth and Bren Foster in the Action, Sport, Drama. A Mixed Martial Arts fighter, who has retired, goes back into the ring.
“Hamlet,” MPA rated R; 1 hour, 54 minutes. Aneil Karia directs Riz Ahmed, Morfydd Clark, Timothy Spall and Joe Alwyn in the Drama. The William Shakespeare classic gets a modern southeast Asia spin.
Movie opening dates from Internet Movie Database as of April 5 are subject to change.
Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes
IMAGE: AMAZON MGM STUDIOSBeyond one’s ken: Ryan Gosling (Ryland Grace), “Project Hail Mary.”
IMAGE: AMAZON MGM STUDIOSRocky solid: Rocky, an alien from Eridani, “Project Hail Mary.”