THE MARTIAN [2015 / 2016] [3D Blu-ray + 2D Blu-ray + Digital HD Ultraviolet] [UK Release]
The 3D Landscapes Are Out Of This World!
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney [Matt Damon] is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Mark Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meagre supplies and he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "The Martian" Mark Watney home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Mark Watney’s safe return. Based on a best-selling novel, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott. ‘THE MARTIAN’ features a star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 2015 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards: Win: Best Director for Ridley Scott. 2015 African-American Film Critics Association: Win: AAFCA Award for Top 10 Films [5th place]. 2015 Awards Circuit Community Awards: Nominated: Best Motion Picture for Aditya Sood, Mark Huffam, Michael Schaefer, Ridley Scott and Simon Kinberg. Nominated: Best Director for Ridley Scott. Nominated: Best Actor in a Leading Role for Matt Damon. Nominated: Best Adapted Screenplay for Drew Goddard. Nominated: Best Sound. Nominated: Best Visual Effects for Anders Langlands, Chris Lawrence, Richard Stammers and Steven Warner. 2015 Black Film Critics Circle Awards: Win: Best Adapted Screenplay for Drew Goddard. Nominated: Best Picture [5th Place]. 2015 Camerimage: Nominated: Jury Award for Best 3D Film for Dariusz Wolski. 2015 Capri, Hollywood: Win: Capri Award for Editor for Pietro Scalia. 2015 Golden Schmoes Awards: Nominated: Favorite Movie of the Year. Nominated: Best Director of the Year for Ridley Scott. Nominated: Best Screenplay of the Year for Drew Goddard. Nominated: Most Overrated Movie of the Year. Nominated: Best Sci-Fi Movie of the Year. Nominated: Best Special Effects of the Year. Nominated: Best Line of the Year for "I'm gonna have to science the shit out of this." 2015 Hollywood Film Awards: Win: Film of the Year for Aditya Sood, Mark Huffam, Michael Schaefer, Ridley Scott and Simon Kinberg. Win: Producer of the Year for Ridley Scott. 2015 Hollywood Music In Media Awards: Nominated: Best Original Score for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film for Harry Gregson-Williams. 2015 IGN Summer Movie Awards: Nominated: Best Sci-Fi Movie. 2015 National Board of Review, USA: Win: NBR Award for Best Director for Ridley Scott. Win: NBR Award for Best Actor for Matt Damon. Win: NBR Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Drew Goddard. Win: NBR Award for Top Films. 2015 Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards: Nominated: Rondo Statuette for Best Movie for Ridley Scott. 2015 Screenwriters Choice Awards, Online: Win: Screenplay Competition for Best Adapted Screenplay for Drew Goddard. 2015 Village Voice Film Poll Award: Nominated: Best Actor for Matt Damon [9th place]. 2016 Academy Awards®: Nominated: Best Motion Picture of the Year for Mark Huffam, Michael Schaefer, Ridley Scott and Simon Kinberg. Nominated: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Matt Damon. Nominated: Best Writing for Adapted Screenplay for Drew Goddard. Nominated: Best Achievement in Sound Mixing for Mark Taylor, Mac Ruth and Paul Massey. Nominated: Best Achievement in Sound Editing for Oliver Tarney. Nominated: Best Achievement in Visual Effects for Anders Langlands, Chris Lawrence, Richard Stammers and Steven Warner. Nominated: Best Achievement in Production Design for Arthur Max (production design) and Celia Bobak (set decoration). 2016 Golden Globes: Win: Best Motion Picture in a Comedy or Musical. Win: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture in a Comedy or Musical for Matt Damon. Nominated: Best Director in a Motion Picture for Ridley Scott. 2016 BAFTA Film Awards: Nominated: Best Leading Actor for Matt Damon. Nominated: Best Editing for Pietro Scalia. Nominated: Best Production Design for Arthur Max and Celia Bobak. Nominated: Best Sound for Mac Ruth, Mark Taylor, Oliver Tarney and Paul Massey. Nominated: Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects for Chris Lawrence, Richard Stammers, Steven Warner and Tim Ledbury. Nominated: David Lean Award for Direction for Ridley Scott. 2016 3D Creative Arts Awards: Win: Lumiere Award for Best Stereography in Live Action for Gareth Daley and Twentieth Century Fox. Win: Lumiere Award for Best Use of Native 3D for Twentieth Century Fox. 2016 AACTA International Awards: Nominated: Best Direction for Ridley Scott. Nominated: Best Screenplay for Drew Goddard. Nominated: Best Lead Actor for Matt Damon. 2016 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Win: Saturn Award for Best Director for Ridley Scott. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Writing for Drew Goddard. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Actor for Matt Damon. Best Actress for Jessica Chastain. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Special Effects for Anders Langlands. Chris Lawrence, Richard Stammers and Steven Warner. 2016 AFI Awards, USA: Win: Movie of the Year. 2016 Alliance of Women Film Journalists: Nominated: EDA Award for Best Picture. Nominated: EDA Award for Best Director for Ridley Scott. Nominated: EDA Award for Best Writing for an Adapted Screenplay for Drew Goddard. Nominated: EDA Award for Best Actor for Matt Damon. 2016 American Cinema Editors: Nominated: Eddie Award for Best Edited Dramatic Feature Film for Pietro Scalia. 2016 Art Directors Guild: Win: Excellence in Production Design Award for Contemporary Film for Arthur Max (production designer), Marc Homes (supervising art director), Matt Wynne (art director), Robert Cowper (art director), Felicity Hickson (motion graphics art director), Huw Arthur (standby art director), Stefan Speth (art director), Oliver Hodge (vehicles art director), Jonathan Houlding (set decoration art director), Gergely Rieger (assistant art director), Will Newton (assistant art director), Sarah Ginn (set designer), Gabor Szabo (3d model maker), Alfredo Lupo (junior draughtsman), Julian Caldow (illustrator), Neil Floyd (graphic designer), Jaime Jones (concept artist), Steven Messing (concept artist), Steve Burg (concept artist), Kamen Anev (concept artist) and Celia Bobak (set decorator). 2016 Association of Motion Picture Sound: Win: AMPS Feature Film Award for Excellence in Sound for a Feature Film for Mac Ruth, Oliver Tarney and Paul Massey. 2016 Australian Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Best International Film (English Language). 2016 Black Reel Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Chiwetel Ejiofor. 2016 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Picture. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Actor for Matt Damon. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Director for Ridley Scott. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Drew Goddard. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Cinematography for Dariusz Wolski. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Art Direction for Arthur Max and Celia Bobak. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Editing for Pietro Scalia. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Visual Effects. Nominated: Critics Choice Award for Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie. 2016 Costume Designers Guild Awards: Nominated: Excellence in Contemporary Film for Janty Yates. 2016 Directors Guild of America: Nominated: DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for Ridley Scott. 2016 Dragons Award: Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie for Drew Goddard and Ridley Scott. 2016 GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics: Nominated: Dorian Award for Film Actor Performance of the Year for Matt Damon. Nominated: Dorian Award for Visually Striking Film of the Year. 2016 Gold Derby Awards: Nominated: Lead Actor for Matt Damon. Nominated: Motion Picture for Mark Huffam, Michael Schaefer, Ridley Scott and Simon Kinberg. Nominated: Director for Ridley Scott. Nominated: Sound for Mac Ruth, Mark Taylor, Oliver Tarney and Paul Massey. Nominated: Visual Effects for Anders Langlands, Chris Lawrence, Richard Stammers and Steven Warner. 2016 Gran Premio Internazionale del Doppiaggio: Nominated: Film Award for Best Dubbing Direction for Massimo Giuliani. 2016 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards: Nominated: Best Music Supervision for Trailers for Marcy Bulkeley. 2016 Hollywood Post Alliance Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Editing for a Feature Film for Pietro Scalia. Nominated: Outstanding Visual Effects for a Feature Film for Bronwyn Edwards (compositing supervisor), Chris Lawrence (visual effects supervisor), Dale Newton (animation supervisor), Framestore and Neil Weatherley (cg supervisor). Nominated: Outstanding Color Grading for a Feature Film for Company 3 and Stephen Nakamura. 2016 Huading Award: Win: Best Global Motion Picture. Win: Best Global Writing for a Motion Picture for Andy Weir and Drew Goddard. Nominated: Best Global Actor in a Motion Picture for Matt Damon. Nominated: Best Global Director for a Motion Picture for Ridley Scott. 2016 Hugo Awards: Win: Best Dramatic Presentation in Long Form for Drew Goddard (screenplay) and Ridley Scott (director). 2016 Image Awards (NAACP): Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Chiwetel Ejiofor. 2016 Kinema Junpo Awards: Nominated: Readers' Choice Award for Best Foreign Language Film for Ridley Scott [USA and United Kingdom]. 2016 London Critics Circle Film Awards: Nominated: ALFS Award for Film of the Year. Nominated: ALFS Award for Director of the Year for Ridley Scott. 2016 Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA: Nominated: Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing for Dialogue and ADR in a Feature Film for Oliver Tarney (supervising sound editor) and Rachael Tate (supervising dialogue/adr editor). Nominated: Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing - Sound Effects and Foley in a Feature Film for Andrea King (foley artist), Hugo Adams (supervising foley editor), Jack Stew (foley artist), James Harrison (sound effects editor), Mark Taylor (sound effects editor), Michael Fentum (sound designer) and Oliver Tarney (supervising sound editor, sound designer). Nominated: Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing for Music in a Feature Film for Richard Whitfield (music editor) and Tony Lewis (music editor). 2016 MTV Movie + TV Awards: Nominated: MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance for Matt Damon. 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival: Win: Chairman's Award for Matt Damon. 2016 People's Choice Awards, USA: Win: Favorite Dramatic Movie. 2016 PGA Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures for Mark Huffam, Michael Schaefer, Ridley Scott and Simon Kinberg. 2016 Santa Barbara International Film Festival: Win: Artisan Award for Arthur Max for Production design. 2016 Teen Choice Awards: Nominated: Choice Movie Actor in a Drama for Matt Damon. Nominated: Choice Movie Actress in a Drama for Jessica Chastain. Nominated: Choice Movie in a Drama. 2016 The Operators Award: Nominated: Feature Film for Graham Hall. 2016 USC Scripter Award: Nominated: Film for Andy Weir (author) and Drew Goddard (screenwriter). 2016 Visual Effects Society Awards: Nominated: Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature for Barrie Hemsley, Chris Lawrence, Matt Sloan, Richard Stammers and Steven Warner. 2016 World Stunt Awards: Nominated: Taurus World Stunt Award for Best Stunt Rigging for Daryl Andrews (stunt rigger), Giedrius Nagys (stunt rigger) and Leonard Woodcock (stunt rigger). 2016 Writers Guild of America: Nominated: WGA Award (Screen) for Best Adapted Screenplay for Drew Goddard (screenplay) [Based on the novel by Andy Weir]. 2017 Awards of the Japanese Academy: Nominated: Award of the Japanese Academy for Best Foreign Film.
FILM FACT No2: Framestore was awarded 338 outer-space shots for ‘THE MARTIAN’ and informed by the heavily-researched detail of Andy Weir’s novel, and with significant input from NASA on genuine contemporary technologies, and Framestore revelled in the opportunity to further refine the CGI and VFX techniques needed to portray a realistic space setting for the year 2035. ‘THE MARTIAN’ proved a fantastic achievement for Framestore, who enjoyed a collaborative working environment with both the director and his team, and between internal departments. Naturally, it was important for the film to maintain a cinematic beauty, alongside the dedication to accuracy throughout. Cultural reference points were frequently drawn from ‘2001: Space Odyssey,’ which set a cinematic benchmark for all as to what space looks like; Director Ridley Scott also drew inspiration from Chesley Bonestell’s sci-fi illustrations from the 1950s/60s, adding a retro space look into the design mix. Chris Lawrence said, “Working with Ridley Scott was a real pleasure, and Ridley Scott’s film-making process, the detailed storyboards and pre-visualisation that he’s known for, made this such an interesting project for us.”
Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Mackenzie Davis, Donald Glover, Nick Mohammed, Shu Chen, Eddy Ko, Enzo Cilenti, Jonathan Aris, Gruffudd Glyn, Geoffrey Thomas, Yang Haiwen, Tsogtsaikan Narantsogt, Brian Caspe, Matt Devere, Mike Kelly, Szonja Oroszlán, Greg De Cuir Jr., Mark O'Neal, Peter Linka, Declan Hannigan, Peter Schueller, Waleska Latorre, Frederik Pleitgen, Nikolett Barabás, Karen Gagnon, Lili Bordán, Charlie Gardner, Nóra Hörich, Kamilla Fátyol, Yang Liu, Xue Xuxing, Richard Rifkin, Nicholas Wittman, Balázs Medveczky, Ben O'Brien, Scott Alexander Young, Jason Ryan, James Dougherty, Irén Bordán (uncredited), Dilyana Bouklieva (uncredited), Adam Cozens (uncredited), Dora Endre (uncredited), Björn Freiberg (uncredited), James Fred Harkins Jr. (uncredited), Minouche Kaftel (uncredited), Gayathri Kasupathipillai (uncredited), Viktor Mitev (uncredited), Arnold Montey (uncredited), Tom Nguyen (uncredited), Tamás Sebe (uncredited), Sam Spruell (uncredited), Norbert Szekeres (uncredited), Dominika Szosznyák (uncredited), Balázs Veres (uncredited), Henry Winkler (archive footage) (uncredited) and Takács Zalán (uncredited)
Director: Ridley Scott
Producers: Adam Goodman, Aditya Sood, Drew Goddard, Howard Ellis, Mark Huffam, Michael Schaefer, Ridley Scott, Simon Kinberg and Teresa Kelly
Screenplay: Drew Goddard (screenplay) and Andy Weir (based on the novel)
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 5.1 Descriptive Audio
Spanish: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
French: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Spanish [Castellano]: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Português: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French, Spanish [Castellano], Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Português, Swedish and Chines
Running Time: 141 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 2
Studio: 20th Century Fox / TSG Entertainment
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘THE MARTIAN’ [2015] is based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, and Matt Damon stars as Mark Watney, an astronaut stranded on Mars. The film is quick to arrive at Mark Watney’s near-hopeless situation and it never heads down any other path not concerned with how to get him home. But to my mind, it has been based on that other stranded original Mars film, entitled ‘Robinson Crusoe On Mars’ [1964], which was about a lone USA astronaut pitted against all odds beyond this earth!
Much of the film focuses on Mark Watney’s enthusiastic attitude and technical know-how when it comes to survival. There is also a parallel narrative concerning the people back at earth attempting to find a solution as well. Both sides put in a great amount of effort and this helps propel the story, along with a sense of hope felt throughout.
The film may be an adaptation, but it is the script by Drew Goddard that pushes this film into the stratosphere. Ridley Scott is a great visual director, but having a terrific screenplay is what allows him to make truly great film. Thanks to Drew Goddard’s work on the film ‘THE MARTIAN’ and director Ridley Scott has had the opportunity to make a really a terrific character piece, which just happens to be a big-budget space adventure of utter proportion and an equally mind blowing experience.
Among the other astronauts, we have Chiwetel Ejiofor as Vincent Kapoor, a man determined to figure out a means for getting Mark Watney back home to Earth and is joined by Jeff Daniels and Kristen Wiig, who serve as NASA heads wanting to help Mark Watney, but are challenged by keeping up a good image for NASA.
You also have Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara and Michael Pena as part of the astronaut team that left Matt Damon behind, and they are all quite good. Sean Bean steps in as well, with the type of confidence that makes you glad he’s in a role where he can’t die. There are many more, but the key cast member is of curse Matt Damon.
Matt Damon puts in the required amount of physical and emotional work here and he makes it look easy and he lets his humour help him maintain his sanity and the film is a lot more entertaining for it. This is why many of the best scenes in the film are the ones where Mark Watney uses science to solve all of his problems, with the benefit of the film not dumbing it all down. Through all this, the film ‘THE MARTIAN’ is able to provide a neat sense of discovery and optimism and especially when astronauts finally do make it to the red planet Mars and sets up a colony.
Many other films of today choose to believe a single character’s journey must mean highlighting the darkness and despair they face. ‘THE MARTIAN’ is refreshing in how it allows for a survival drama to give us a story that may have thrilling moments, but never diverts from its optimistic outlook and especially with this beautiful-looking film.
It is a credit to both the screenplay adaptation by the brilliant Drew Goddard and the confident direction of the equally brilliant director Ridley Scott that the film is able to play so effectively. Despite being set on another planet and involving a convincing number of visual effects, the film never feels showy in its presentation. There is great work done to bring this film to life, but we always stay invested in the characters, which works so well.
‘THE MARTIAN’ film is both a visually arresting blockbuster and the type of character-driven drama that is usually targeted for awards season. The film presents a convincing story of a man on another planet and provides us with well-acted characters to follow. There is plenty of peril in Mark Watney’s odyssey adventure and the film is always finding entertaining ways to both show and tell. That is what makes it both a well-crafted entertaining film and most of all of course, enjoyable for all audiences.
THE MARTIAN MUSIC TRACK LIST
HAPPY DAYS THEME (Written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel) [Performed by Pratt and McClain]
TURN THE BEAT AROUND (Love to Hear Percussion) (Written by Peter Jackson and Gerald Jackson) [Performed by Vicki Sue Robinson]
HOT STUFF (Written by Pete Bellotte, Keith Forsey and Harold Faltermeyer) [Performed by Donna Summer]
ROCK THE BOAT (Written by Wally Holmes) [Performed by The Hues Corporation]
DON’T LEAVE ME THIS WAY (Written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert) [Performed by Thelma Houston]
STARMAN (Written by David Bowie) [Performed by David Bowie]
WATERLOO (Written by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Stig Anderson) [Performed by ABBA]
LOVE TRAIN (Written by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff) [Performed by The O'Jays]
I WILL SURVIVE (Written by Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren) [Performed by Gloria Gaynor]
Blu-ray Image Quality – 20th Century Fox shot the film ‘THE MARTIAN’ digitally with both Red Epic Dragon and Red Scarlet Dragon digital equipment. As to the actual presentation, it gives you an absolutely stunning 1080p image of stunning realistic and natural 3D image and is enhanced with the 2.40:1 aspect ratio. As to the look of the film, is again pretty impressive, with natural-looking skin tones and a brilliant level of depth and detail in almost every shot, especially with Mark Watney’s face during sequences when he’s cold or the earth-based close-up shots, everyone comes through very well. This is of course all thanks to the brilliant cinematographer Dariusz Wolski, especially showing off the awesome red Mars landscape. Most of the other shots, especially both the interiors of the Mars base and the footage that takes place back on Earth, has a slight bluish tinge look to it that so many films these days seem to use this as a colour presentation. Black levels are deep and inky, with a great level of contrast that particularly work in the outer space sequences. The only footage that suffers slightly is the footage you would expect to, especially the scenes involving use of the GoPro cameras, which are part of Mark Watney's video diaries and his communications back to Earth. Despite this, the overall image presentation is near on reference quality, is totally and wonderfully impressive and viewers won't be disappointed at all and it will also impress your visitors. As an added and impressive bonus, is the 3D presentation and is a beautiful 3D experience and Ridley Scott uses a lot of the expansive backgrounds filling each shot with plenty of foreground, middle-ground, and far distance objects to give an incredible three-dimensional sense of depth and some of the best use of the 3D effects come during the opening sandstorm when the crew is climbing up the ladder into their escape vehicle where little bits of grit float up at the screen. It's a beautiful effect to have so much busy activity happening and yet depth is maintained. So all in all, it is a totally enthralling 3D visual experience and definitely gets a five star rating from me, especially with all the sterling work done by people involved with this film.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – 20th Century Fox brings you an equally impressive and mind blowing 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio that will really show off one's home theatre set up and giving you a reference audio quality sound experience. Every channel gets to be in on the fun with this 2D film, as there is a great level of balance served well by the terrific effort put into the mix for this Blu-ray’s audio. Not only is there noticeable and distinct separation with the film ‘THE MARTIAN’ and its more quiet moments, but you also get to experience some wonderful surround effects with all of your speakers that booms during the film's more action-packed sequences. You also get to hear all of the disco tunes peppered throughout the film and sound really great also, which is also very nostalgia. As to the dialogue, this is primarily front and centre, and it is clearly rendered and thankfully it has been mixed properly with the rest of the audio track and there is also a noticeable sense of immersion provided throughout the film, so giving you is some fantastic audio experiences. By the way, Mark Watney’s smart-ass remarks are heard loud and clear. So all in all, once again, this definitely gets a five star rating from me, especially with all the sterling work done by people involved with this film.
2D Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Signal Acquired: Writing and Directing [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1 / 178:1] [9:36] It’s no secret that the widespread appeal of Ridley Scott’s film owes a great debt to author Andy Weir’s 2001 debut novel. In this just under 10-minute featurette, the director explains how screenwriter Drew Goddard turned Weir’s dense book into a screenplay, and how that got turned into a NASA-approved Hollywood Sci-Fi film. Contributors include: Ridley Scott [Director/Producer], Andy Weir [Author], Matt Damon [Mark Watney], Aditya Sood [Producer], Simon Kinberg [Producer], Chiwetel Ejiofor [Vincent Kapoor], Mark Huffam [Executive Producer], James L. Green [Director of NASA Planetary Science Division] and Jessica Chastain [Melissa Lewis].
Special Feature: Occupy Mars: Casting and Costumes [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1 / 1.78:1] [14:13] With this second most comprehensive featurette, Matt Damon, Ridley Scott and other key players talking about how ‘THE MARTIAN’ and its impressive ensemble cast, which they were very keen to appear in the film, especially as it was being directed by Ridley Scott and also featured is the film’s surprisingly complex costume choices. Funny enough, the film’s costume designer was told by NASA that they get many of their space suit ideas from the Sci-Fi films. Contributors include: Aditya Sood [Producer], Simon Kinberg [Producer], Ridley Scott [Director/Producer], Matt Damon [Mark Watney], Jessica Chastain [Melissa Lewis], Michael Peña [Rick Martinez], Kate Mara [Beth Johanssen], Sebastian Stan [Chris Beck], Aksel Hennie [Alex Vogel], Janty Yates [Costume Designer], William Willoughby [Stunts], Chiwetel Ejiofor [Vincent Kapoor], Jeff Daniels [Teddy Sanders], Kristen Wiig [Annie Montrose] and Sean Bean [Mitch Henderson].
Special Feature: Gag Reel [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1] [7:33] Sadly in my opinion this was a very pointless gag reel, as it is mostly 90% very unfunny special feature and is totally pathetic waste of time. The only highlight is when we hear Matt Damon is talking about “potato porn.”
Special Feature: ARES III: Refocused – ARES III The Untold Story [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1] [17:18] One of several mockumentary NASA documentaries on this disc, and here we get interviews with several characters breaking down the rescue mission of Mark Watney from the Red Planet. Featuring some of the actors from the film in-character in a sort of “talking head” interview segments. Contributors include: Sean Bean [Mitch Henderson], Jeff Daniels [Teddy Sanders], Chiwetel Ejiofor [Vincent Kapoor], Jessica Chastain [Melissa Lewis], Matt Damon [Mark Watney], Donald Glover [Rich Purnell] (archive footage), Kate Mara [Beth Johanssen] (archive footage), Michael Peña [Rick Martinez] (archive footage), Sebastian Stan [Chris Beck] (archive footage) and Kristen Wiig [Annie Montrose].
Special Feature: ARES III: Farewell [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1] [3:25] Here is another mockumentary NASA documentary that features Mark Watney interviewing his Ares crewmembers via a webcam in a segment meant to take place prior to the events of the movie before their fateful mission that will leave him stranded on the Red Planet with nothing but disco music and potatoes. Contributors include: Jessica Chastain [Melissa Lewis], Matt Damon [Mark Watney], Kate Mara [Beth Johanssen], Michael Peña [Rick Martinez] and Sebastian Stan [Chris Beck].
Special Feature: The Right Stuff [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1] [3:20] Here is another mockumentary NASA documentary and before leaving for mars, each member of the ARES III crew spent 10 days in isolation as a training exercise. Upon release, they had to be interviewed by a NASA psychological to find out ii they are suitable and compatible for their long journey to Mars. Contributors include: Jessica Chastain [Melissa Lewis], Matt Damon [Mark Watney], Aksel Hennie [Alex Vogel], Kate Mara [Beth Johanssen], Michael Peña [Rick Martinez] and Sebastian Stan [Chris Beck].
Special Feature: ARES: Our Greatest Adventure [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1] [3:39] If you ever wondered what real-life astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is like and naturally Neil deGrasse Tyson talks in length about the ARES: Mission to Mars and its effects on the crews long journey to Mars.
Special Feature: Leave Your Mark [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1] [1:03] Here we get to see Mark Watney [Matt Damon] the astronaut in a ARES: Advancing the Future of Humanity Official Training Partner of the ARES Program Promotional Video for trips to mars.
Special Feature: Bring Him Home [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1] [1:34] Here is another mockumentary NASA documentary that features the world united to get Mark Watney back safely to Earth.
Theatrical Trailer [2015] [1080p] [2.40:1] [2:55] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘THE MARTIAN.’ The trailer tends to give away too many surprises about the rescue mission, so for newcomers, I suggest only looking at this after you have watched the film.
Special Feature: Production Art Gallery [2015] [1080p] [1.78:1] [16:38] Here you get to view three different stunning art gallery images, which there are a total of 199 images and they are as follows: EARTH; HERMES and MARS. As usual, you can either watch each gallery images separately or play with the AUTO ADVANCE facilty.
Finally, ‘THE MARTIAN’ is arguably one of the best sci-fi releases of 2015 and as a home release, it’s pretty much essential for owners who enjoy watching 3D Blu-ray release. Everything you wanted the first time around in ‘THE MARTIAN’ 3D Blu-ray release can be found here. This is a double-dip well worth it if you are interested in how this film came together. The Blu-ray release set includes both versions of the film and all the extras you need, so it is a no-brainer for fans and especially those who are coming to the film for the first time. If you want a great sci-fi survival film featuring some solid technical specs and more, this is the Blu-ray set for you. Sadly, there is no amazing documentary, no commentary track, and no director’s cut and one can only hope a second release will happen in the future, but for now, this is all that is offered. But despite with this specific Blu-ray release and the lack of those specific extras not included, I am still honoured to have this Blu-ray release in my collection. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
