A breathtaking space adventure that will blow the audience’s minds. An audacious book adaptation that feels like a new world of spectacular elements. Project Hail Mary is glorious with vibrant motions and beautiful colors. The experience is best had in IMAX. Based on the novel written by Andy Weir, the film is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. They put theirminds together and succeeded in making space look captivating. There are many themes that are hard to dismiss in Project Hail Mary. Especially given the focus on astronauts, the world in space is clearly different than the world below. In the end, the film comes down to science and persistence.

Project Hail Mary is aimed at a science teacher named Ryland Grace, played by Ryan Gosling. He wakes up in a space shuttle many miles away from home after being in a coma for years.His mission is to find a substance that is a threat to the sun. The threat is also a danger to the earth. Throughout the spacecraft he utilizes every inch of scientific resources. His life as a teacher is one of solitude filled with diverse challenges.

For Ryland, going home will take time. The direction of Project Hail Mary creates the sense that the space shuttle is the central environment. The cinematography and lighting have angles that make the atmosphere seem real. This film has the brightest and most shining space artistry that I have seen in a long time. The story and the subject of disconnect blended with science reinforces the realism of the film. The primary message in Project Hail Mary is to never lose hope. Faith does emerge in the adventures experienced in the story.

With scientific issues and other complex aspects being thrown into the mix, there is an unexpected element of surprise. Ryland befriends an alien-type creature who he gives the name Rocky. Actor Jamie Ortiz gives voice to Rocky. Ryland and Rocky work together to get home.  Their special friendship sold me. Finding a friend in space to travel with over many miles while creating memories was heart-warming. The confidence to make it home showcases the power of a wonderful friendship in Project Hail Mary.

Gosling is the king of space in this movie. He has a dramatic acting style which enables him to  play someone unprepared who is able to execute what looks to be impossible. Failure is not an option for Ryland in Project Hail Mary as he struggles through extreme hardships. Overall, this movie is a winner in terms of writing, science, and technology. The way it is presented makes the experience feel real. It is an incredibly audacious and vivid film that made me feel like I was floating into a new world of voyeurism. The IMAX experience enhanced the scenes in space and transported me to new world where I forgot everything else, but what was happening on the big screen. The vivid landscape was simply out of this world. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Project Hail Mary.