'The disappointing Martian' by K.J.S.Chatrath

ISRO photo of Mars

I love science fiction films. India's successfull launch of Mangalyaan too has enhanced my interest in Mars. So this afternoon  I sacrificed my siesta to go and watch 'The Martian'.

I did not read any review lest it spoil my enjoyment of the film. In any  case, my problem with most of the film reviews is that those end up narrating the story in detail and say very little about other aspects. So I will skip the story of this film.

The film is based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir. There is an Indian character in the novel- Dr Venkat Kapoor. However in the film he is renamed as Vincent Kapoor and the part is played, very competently by a black actor Chitwetel Ejiofor. 

I found the portrayal of the astronaut on Mars, lacking in gravitas.  He never grips you as a person who is all alone on an entire planet. He is joking even when the situation is really grim. Except in one sole little moment towards the end of the film when he appears to get emotional. Surely the astronauts are chosen, inter-alia, for their tough mindsets and are given rigorous training to handle any eventuality. But the portrayal in the film tended to put in smarty lines when a little more seriousness should have in order.

I saw the movie in DT Cinema in Chandigarh. Somehow to me the screen seemed to be much smaller than in Fun cinemas. Since it was a 3D film, special specs were provided. I have three observations. Firstly, while over the years the technology of 3D films seems to have surely advanced, that of the accompanying specs has not kept pace with it. Secondly, the lenses of the  specs supplied were  full of scratches. Thirdly, the system of wrapping a tissue paper around the used set of specs and handing those over to the cine goers of the next show too seemed to be lacking in primary  hygiene.

My take- I am not happy to have missed my siesta and to have spent Rs.200/- for the ticket. 

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