The Martian: Extended Edition is a well made sci-fi thriller but admittedly, I think the theatrical version is tighter though there are a couple nice additions to the Extended Cut while other scenes weren’t necessary. As for this Blu-ray release, which should’ve been the initial release anyway, it offers up amazing video/audio transfers and some extensive bonus material.
The Martian
— Extended Edition —
(2015)
Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama
Fox | PG13/Unrated – 141 min. / 151 min. – $39.99 | June 7, 2016
Date Published: 06/25/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 3.5/5
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Plot Synopsis: During a manned mission to Mars, American astronaut Mark Watney (MATT DAMON) is presumed dead and left behind by his crew of the Hermes: Mission Commander Melissa Lewis (JESSICA CHASTAIN), pilot Major Rick Martinez (MICHAEL PENA), system operator Beth Johansson (KATE MARA), flight surgeon Dr. Chris Beck (SEBASTIAN STAN) and navigator/chemist Dr. Alex Vogel (AKSEL HENNIE). At home NASA Director Theodore Sanders (JEFF DANIELS) makes the announcement of Watney’s death.
However, Watney is still alive but communication has been cut and must find a way to survive on a barren planet and utilize his skills as a botanist to grow food, using his own excrement for soil, and once making contact to Earth and the NASA scientists — including Ares III mission director Mitch Henderson (SEAN BEAN), NASA’s Director of Mars Missions Vincent Kapoor (CHIWETEL EJIOFOR) and a variety of geniuses (MACKENZIE DAVIS, BENEDICT WONG, DONALD GLOVER) —, figure a way to get home. Quick Hit Review: In the last few years, we’ve seen quite a few solid, even great, science fiction movies from Gravity in 2013, Interstellar in ’14 and now The Martian in ’15 and although for me it comes in third compared to the other two, this is still a well made drama thanks in large part to the performance from Matt Damon along with an impressive ensemble highlighted by Jessica Chastain and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Based on the novel by Andy Weir and adapted by Drew Goddard, who was going to helm before leaving to do The Sinister Six, Ridley Scott directs with efficiency, showcasing his talents for the genre but allows the performances to guide the story and thankfully leaves the visual effects to aid rather than overtake. The Martian isn’t great but still very good and although it is on the long side, still is quite entertaining. While the extended cut isn’t bad, the theatrical version probably is a tad better but if going in for the first time, the extended version would be just fine as it does at least contain some more character moments. That said, outside of a couple scenes, I felt it actually dragged the movie a bit compared to the theatrical cut. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 5.0/5
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This two-disc release comes with a slip cover. Inside is the redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Audio Commentary – Available for both versions, Producer/Director Ridley Scott, Executive Producer/Screenwriter Drew Goddard and Author Andy Weir offer up their thoughts on the movie, how it was made, working with the various actors and just some scene-specific comments. On the downside, Scott’s comments were recorded separately and spliced in at different times. Deleted Scenes (4:06; HD) – We get three scenes that didn’t make the cut, one of which, from what I can tell anyway, was in the extended cut. Another cute scene addresses the relationship between Beck (Stan) and Johanssen (Mara). The Long Way Home: Making The Martian (1:19:21; HD) is a massive 6-part documentary looking at the various stages of filming the movie and features interviews with director Ridley Scott, Matt Damon and many others of the cast and crew. Two of these parts (Signal Acquired, Occupy Mars) were included in the original release. Investigating Mars: The Journey to Mars 101 (2:02:18; HD) is feature-length Q&A session hosted by author Andy Weir asking questions of NASA experts on the planet Mars. For any science wonks out there, this is well worth a watch. Ridley Scott Discusses NASA’s Journey to Mars (1:31; HD) is a promotional featurette where Scott talks about the history of NASA and Mars. Nothing special. Gag Reel (7:33; HD) includes on-set screw-ups be it props or lines by the cast. Ares Mission Videos (30:32; HD) is a mock-documentary as if the mission from the movie was real and includes bonus footage. Production Art Gallery is filled with still images of set and prop designs, both on Earth and Mars. Theatrical Trailers (11:09; HD) – All told there are 4 trailers, in one of them there’s a speech by Damon which was not used in the movie but was part of one of the deleted scenes. |
VIDEO – 5.0/5 |
| The Martian arrives on Blu-ray presented with a 1080p high-definition (AVC encoding) transfer and shown in its original 2.40 widescreen aspect ratio. The picture, when on Mars, has an orange-ish tint in keeping with the planet’s coloring but the scenes on earth, as well as those on Hermes, do have pops of color. Detail is well defined and sharp throughout and there’s tinges of natural grain which only adds to the film-like quality. |
AUDIO – 5.0/5 |
| For some odd reason, even with this extended edition, this *only* gets a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track instead of a DTS: X or Atmos, even so, it’s an incredible aural experience where the quieter moments, such as Watney’s scenes alone on Mars, which provide good dialogue levels to the more depth-filled sequences like when the wind storm kicks up or the rocket launch in the finale. |
OVERALL – 4.5/5 |
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Overall, The Martian: Extended Edition is a well made sci-fi thriller but admittedly, I think the theatrical version is tighter though there are a couple nice additions to the Extended Cut while other scenes weren’t necessary. As for this Blu-ray release, which should’ve been the initial release anyway, it offers up amazing video/audio transfers and some extensive bonus material. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.
