Just saw this and while I enjoyed it, I also kind of struggled with it as well. Not that there was anything wrong with the acting, writing, directing, lighting, et al, but, well, I think I would have enjoyed it more in book form.
As a movie it kinda loses weight for me as, missing any real antagonist ... other than an entire planet (Yes, I know, I get that aspect) I lose the "fear" or I never get the "oomph' of satisfaction when "we" prevail. Perhaps it is also from the fact I knew the ending, but I don't know, I think it is from the fact that it is a one person cast, in relation to going up against the situation, ya know? I mean, throw a few more people with him, where I could worry about THEIR safety as well, and maybe I feel more into the movie. But having just one guy and knowing he is safe by the credits roll just made the movie a good movie and not a great one.
I am sitting here trying to think of any "like minded" movies where the environment was against just one person and I can't think of any off hand. I would love to know if I felt the same about other movies just like this.
Again, I liked it, but didn't at anytime feel as invested or worried as I like to be in these types of movies. Hell, Apollo 13 had me on the edge of my seat and I still knew how that ended, but it also had a couple of characters that I could worry about. I had even thought to myself during that movie - "Did they ALL make it back?"
This movie, while certainly a feel good movie and one that showcases our need to explore (If we spent even a quarter of our spending on NASA that we spend on War ... oh, excuse me, I mean on peace
imagine where we would be. Where we could be.)
But at the end of the day I was glad I took the time to watch. Pretty "sciency" until
Oh Yeah ..
7 outta 10 - "I am Iron Man"s