Superior production values and a hefty lead turn from Matt Damon ultimately give way to a lack of pacing in Ridley Scott's solid but underwhelming sci-fi adaptation. Drew Goddard's script, based on the Andy Weir bestseller, provides Damon one of his most likable characters in Mark Watney. Stranded on Mars after his team presumes him dead, the ingenious Watney must engineer his own survival in hopes of rescue - years later at the earliest. Save for a few tense scenes, those years go by mighty slowly, complete with long, meditative shots of Mark chilling on the Martian plains.

Back on Earth, a star-studded cast including Jessica Chastain as a member of Watney's team, and Jeff Daniels as a plotting NASA exec, are largely wasted in a convoluted subplot that involves the team going rogue to attempt a rescue mission. Kristen Wiig is especially underutilized as Daniels' icy assistant, while scene stealer Michael Peña and recent Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor are just along for the ride.

Despite some narrative shortcomings, the film succeeds on a number of technical levels, namely in creating some of the most well-crafted space suits ever. The costumes are given ample time to shine, especially as they're deconstructed during the action sequences, which also feature excellent special effects. Two primary set pieces bookend the film, the initial dust storm that blows Watney away, and the obligatory rescue try, the crescendo of which seems oddly derivative of Gravity (2013). Add to that the fact that Damon's character shares a similar storyline with his cameo role in Interstellar (2014) - also starring Chastain - and The Matrian begins to feel a bit too familiar. At 144 minutes, the film overstays its welcome, but still delivers Scott's hyper-detailed brand of entertainment - this time for the whole family.

Final Grade: B | 84/100 | ★★★