Project Hail Mary (2026) - 8/10

Project Hail Mary has a delightfully disorientating start. Grace (Ryan Gosling) finds himself waking up alone on a spaceship, the rest of the crew dead, no recollection of why he’s there, who he is, what’s going on. This could be dark, moody, terrifying, but that’s not Gosling is it. Instead it’s light, comical, entertaining. I mean he’s still seemingly buggered, but this film isn’t going to bog you down in mystery, instead it’ll hold your hand as it thrusts you through a two and a half hour intergalactic rollercoaster. Grace, we learn from a flashbacks, is a high school science teacher, explaining to his class that a new discovery in our galaxy, appears to be eating the sun. Bad news. Alongside his day job, he’s a clever bloke, in self denial of his abilities, with some unpopular theories, which may have found him forced to teach high school kids, but also, it turns out, places him a unique position to save the planet. The set up is fun as we jump from our hero on the spaceship, to his former self, figuring out the mysteries behind a newly discovered life form. There’s a reason this and his mission is called Hail Mary though, he’s on a one way trip. It’s all wonderfully playful. Heavy on action and with a firm foot on the gas, all matched with some slick production and in space, some truly gorgeous cinematography and design. Why it all works though, is Gosling. There are players around him, all great, but he’s rarely off screen and commands it effortlessly. He’s the accessible everyman in a sea of scientists, thinking outside the box, MacGyvering his way through, figuring it out. It takes all the tropes of science fiction and mixes it with a dose of blockbuster adventure and a huge dollop of comedy, all whilst keep an eye on the prize, with some genuine jeopardy and drama, not only for Grace, but the entire human race. It made me laugh. It made m cry. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Honestly it disarmingly brilliant and no more so than when Grace makes a new friend out in space and the whole thing multiplies into a buddy comedy. In the cynical world we inhabit, this is the antidote we need. It’s an affirmation to all that can be good, a visual embodiment of hope. It’s not complicated, but still has depth. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller know where all the buttons are and just how and when to push them. Yes it’s pure popcorn fodder, but it’s utterly marvellous. If the first act gives it reason and the second brings discovery, the final act is a barnstorming release for pure joy.

8/10