Something about Project Hail Mary.

[No Spoilers]

I have always been fascinated when movies or tv shows are made from books. An aspect of the fascination is the ability of the director and screenwriter to captivate audience without dwelling or dabbling too much into the monologues: that typically appear in novels.

Like it or not, there will always be something missing from novel-adaption. But that is understandable. There is time constraint and certainly to keep the audience in rapt attention, aspects of the book need to be exterminated or condensed or (shockingly) changed.

But first allow me to first start with my childhood. Growing up, my staple reading material was all things Stephen King. Back then, the only movie adaption that truly spooked me was the Shining and IT. It was because I watched the movies before reading the books. Just like Shawshank Redemption [didn’t know it was based on his novel since he writes horror] (which I would not be reading the book as the movie remains one of the best movies ever). The rest, to name a few like Pet Cemetery, Thinner, Misery (yes I know) didn’t quite convey the horror and terror. Years later, I chalked to the genre (this speculation remains unseen).

Still on Stephen King (but not horror), I recall reading The Green Mile’s instalments. Those who read it will remember and admire how he made us feel so much about a particular rodent. The movie was undoubtedly good but the aspect about the animal wasn’t captured.

Crawling out of childhood, I then thought it interesting to read the source material (where I can) before watching the movie. On my end (my views completely on which is better), here are some shoutouts.

Mario Puzo’s Godfather (book and movie are almost equal), Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (book over movie), Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange (movie only because of that disturbing visual of the eyes and obvious violence), Max Brooks’ World War Z (book slightly over movie), Audrey Niffenegger’ The Time Traveler’s Wife (definitely book), Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones (definitely book as well) and Andy Weir’s The Martian (close but the book wins. Also I always think of this book when I cook potatoes).

Leading me to Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary. I read the book and whilst I have some minor reservations about deleted portions of the book, I understand the rationale. Keeping it would have extended the movie by say another 2 hours.

I love the visuals. What was showing in my mind paled in comparison to the visuals in the movie. My mouth was agape.

I have but only two critiques of the movie which took me out (and this is because I made the mistake of reading the book before watching):-

(a)               Rocky was relegated to being a side-kick to a human. He was equal to Ryland Grace in the movie. If anything, both complemented each other to achieve their missions; and

(b)               Stratt was made to be more polite and nice. There were conversations which were substantially watered down. Her objective (whether one agrees or not in her approach) is unequivocal. To save the human race. To do all and everything necessary to achieve that.

But these are minor. I still teared up, cheered-on the protagonist, loved the relationship his relationship with Rocky, and be completely enthralled in its spectacular visuals and beautiful narration. To-date this movie (all things considered i.e. time constraints, keeping the spirit of the book, not treating the audience as complete idiots and elevating the “feelings” beyond the words appearing in the book), is one the best ones I have watched.