The Martian
by: Andy Weir
4 stars
When I saw an advertisement for this movie, I knew I needed to bump this book up on my "tbr" list. I'm a big fan of reading the book first--with a couple exceptions. However, I knew I needed to read this and then see the movie because it looked so good.
First: the book. I love it. It was engaging and funny. I felt like I was constantly on the edge of my seat. The biggest reason that this is 4 stars versus 5 is because there were quite a few sections that I ended up skimming because the science stuff just got to be overwhelming. But other than that I just couldn't get enough of this story. I LOVE Watney and when I heard Matt Damon was cast as him I actually thought that was perfect. It's been awhile since a narrator has made me laugh as many times as Watney did in this book (and movie).
Transitioning to a bit of a review of both the book and the movie and, first of all, I just want to say that I am not a "book purist" meaning that I don't think the movie should just be the book in visual format. So often changes are needed for specific reasons--as a viewer watching a movie you're not privy to all the insights that a typical narrator gives, so you have to show that information in other ways. Additionally, some things just should be cut for time--I really think the Harry Potter franchise (specifically the earlier movies) could have benefited from some better editing.
Regardless, there were a couple of things they changed that I didn't love and a few things that I understood. But, for the most part, they stayed very true to the book, and, in my opinion, maybe even made a film that was better than the book.
The changes made at the end I mostly understood from a cinematic perspective. First, the action was amped up for the movie--there were a lot more issues with the rescue than in the book and in the book it wasn't exactly smooth sailing. The Iron Man thing was a little ridiculous--I liked that it was a joke in the book but did not like that it actually happened in the movie. And the epilogue I didn't think was necessary but again I understood the reason for this change for movie purposes.
I kind of wish the storm he had to outsmart was a part of the movie during the section he is traveling to the Ares 4 station. I get that it's a timing thing and they had a lot of action already (and upcoming with the dramatic rescue) so I understand the exclusion of it. On the other hand, I'm glad they skipped the crater crash. Because by the time I got to that part of the novel I was overwhelmed with all the issues he was having and was ready for smooth sailing.
Overall it was such a fun book and a thrilling movie. I highly recommend both.
xo Sara
Curious about how I rate books? Read about my scale here. Warning: it's super scientific.
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