The Martian... Hmmmm

[gb_astro]

One of the people that enjoyed the movie was the author himself, Andy Weir.
There are plenty of online interviews around.
He seems a lot more casual about it than a lot of his readers.
Even with the book he admits that plot sometimes took precidence over fact.

gb.

[firstlight (Tony)]

I have always had a policy of not watching the movie if I've read the book and visa versa, so it's my own fault that the movie disappoints me. Yes, to put in all the events that occurred in the book would have made this an epic move in the order of LOTR.

However...

I just can't see any excuse to leave out key dialogue and events - loss of Pathfinder for one. If he was in constant contact with Earth then the "Space Pirate" scene is not applicable. Can't be a pirate if he is in constant communication and they are telling him to go to the MAV and take control, right? And no theme song, really can't work that one out. Don't really understand why do the ludicrous alternate rescue EVA either.

I probably would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't read/heard the book, but the airlock and helmet repair would have grated and hindered my suspension of belief.

[firstlight (Tony)]

Originally Posted by gb_astro

One of the people that enjoyed the movie was the author himself, Andy Weir.
There are plenty of online interviews around.
He seems a lot more casual about it than a lot of his readers.
Even with the book he admits that plot sometimes took precidence over fact.

gb.

I agree that not everything was factual, but it was BELIEVABLE. The movie was not. I'm sure that Andy would have been happy with the movie. Don't want to sound too cynical, but having your book turned into a Hollywood blockbuster with all the fame and money that entails would help you be more accepting of poor editing.

[DJT (David)]

I have read the book a couple of times, it's a great yarn. We managed to see the film this week and we thoroughly enjoyed it.The only unbelievable thing that ruined it for me was the notion that Sean Bean can get through a movie without running someone through with a sharp pointy thing or being beheaded.

It was good Fun. Will watch again.

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by gb_astro

One of the people that enjoyed the movie was the author himself, Andy Weir.
There are plenty of online interviews around.
He seems a lot more casual about it than a lot of his readers.
Even with the book he admits that plot sometimes took precidence over fact.

gb.

What are the chances that he would say he didn't like it? He will be cashing in his royalties cheques for a long, long time. He's not stupid enough to kill the golden goose, no matter what he thinks about the movie.
Peter

[Octane (Humayun)]

Just how many billions has the US spent recovering Matt Damon from space?

H

[LewisM]

Originally Posted by Octane

Just how many billions has the US spent recovering Matt Damon from space?

H

At least we know that after Mars and teaching he went on to a frozen ice world, before killing himself in a airlock explosion. See, he didn't learn on Mars.

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

I took my 77yr old Dad to see it- he hasn't been to the Cinema since 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit", he absolutely loved it.
I am a fan of the book and was a little upset by the skipping of certain plot lines and the introduction of others. However. for the sake of narrative in the Movie I can see why they did it.
I am of the opinion that for me, the movie and the book are separate enjoyable events.
I thought the movie was great actually and will be watching it again just to soak up the details.
Like other book adaptations sometimes the movie-isation happens to please Producers/ investors or else the flick wouldn't be made at all.
I am still waiting with baited breath for film adaptations of the Wasp Factory (script optioned 2011)and The Forge Of God (script working 2010), apparently only 5% of scripts optioned ever get made.
I am glad this got made and as I said, I really enjoyed it.
Graham

[JimsShed (Jim)]

I loved the audible book when it came out a bit back. I listen to them rather than the car radio these days. This story was so enthralling I looked forward to driving to and from work !
I knew the movie couldn't pack all that goodness into a couple of hours, but I still loved the movie. I thought the mars landscape scenes were very well done.

[sil (Steve)]

Didn't read the book and don't care for "opinions", the movie was great.

[75BC (Brendon)]

I haven’t read this book or seen this movie yet. But. I find that movies based on books never live up to expectations. I think this is because when you read a book, a part of yourself goes into it, in that you must use your imagination to ‘bring it to life’. You create everything in your head, from scenery, what people look like, sounds, smells, etc. Like a lot of things, if you don’t expect too much, you won’t be disappointed.

Steven King’s ‘The Shining’ (I’m reading now) is a famous example of when an author is not happy with a screen adaptation, even though it’s considered a classic. King was so unhappy that he made his own version. I got King’s version out on video (yes old VHS) when it came out. 3 cassettes and about 7 or 8 hours worth.

[firstlight (Tony)]

Originally Posted by sil

Didn't read the book and don't care for "opinions", the movie was great.

Thanks for you opinoin