This is going to be as spoiler-free as possible, as I find going into these movies blind may actually be a boon. That said, I feel that to properly express my thoughts on the movie, I have to talk about an element that is present in the marketing, but I would’ve actually omitted from the trailers personally. So if you haven’t seen any trailers to date and want to go in blind, head to the last paragraph for the closing thoughts!

Project Hail Mary marks the first directorial effort from Phil Lord and Chris Miller since 22 Jump Street back in 2014. So, needless to say, there’s a bit riding on this one, both in terms of delivering a fun movie and proving these guys still got it as directors. A big-budget sci-fi flick starring Ryan Gosling is sure to draw attention. But is it any good?

Gosling stars as Ryland Grace, a middle school science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship without any memory as to why he’s there or what he’s supposed to be doing. To make matters worse, his two other crew members have died at some point during the voyage, leaving him utterly alone in space. Or is he? It’s not long until he makes first contact with an alien spacecraft and encounters a rock-crab-like creature who will become known as Rocky. Together, this unlikely duo team up to solve the mystery of what is killing various stars in their neck of the galaxy.

Much like Andy Weir’s other cinematic adaptation, The Martian (which, like this movie, was adapted by Buffy’s Drew Goddard), Project Hail Mary is all about the smart guy stranded in space. This film relies on the acting chops of its lead actor even more, so you need a performance that really draws the audience in, considering this is almost a one-man show. Thankfully, Gosling crushes it as Ryland. This is a role that balances comedic timing, heart, smarts, and empathy all at the same time. He plays off James Ortiz’s performance as both the modulated translated voice of Rocky and the lead puppeteer (one of five artists). Yes, that little bundle of rock is not a CG creation, but a practical effect, which really helps sell the emotional connection between him and Ryland. Having a tangible item on the set for Gosling to interact with, as opposed to a tennis ball, created a bond not only for him but for the audience. You’ll be surprised how much you care for this creature.

That’s part of the charm of Project Hail Mary. It feels like a film not made for or in this decade. In terms of structure, style, and tone, I felt more of an 80s vibe and thought, “wow, they really don’t make movies like this anymore”. But it’s also combined with some great modern touches. The master cinematographer Greig Fraser (The Batman, Rogue One) helps bring this movie to life, utilizing both practical sets and impressive use of the Volume. When utilized correctly, as it is here, the Volume is a wonderful tool that really helps bring an actor into the space and have the light from the screens interact with the actors and sets. The ship feels like a real ship, and space feels vast, scary, but also breathtaking.

But it’s not all Ryland and Rocky. Throughout the film, we’re treated to flashbacks of Ryland’s past, his time teaching middle school science, and how he ended up getting involved with the titular Project Hail Mary. How does a teacher end up on a spaceship to venture further than any human has before? The film does answer this question, and these flashbacks provide both the necessary exposition and key characterization for Ryland and serve as a good narrative reset to get us off the ship from time to time.

If there’s a problem with Project Hail Mary, it’s that it’s a little long. Not in the sense of its runtime, which is approaching two and a half hours, but more in that it pulls a Return of the King and has a few moments where the momentum and pacing are leading to a natural conclusion, only for the movie to continue. This happens a few times near the end of the movie, and it does lead to a sense of false conclusions.

But honestly? That’s my only gripe with the movie. Project Hail Mary was awesome. It was quite funny while also being heartwarming, with great characters and a wonderful performance from Gosling. For those who enjoy the vibes of older films like E.T. and Back to the Future, meeting at the crossroads of The Martian or Interstellar, this is a big recommendation. I’ll be surprised if this isn’t in my top ten of the year.