Amaze, Amaze, Amaze: “Project Hail Mary” Comes to Cinestudio

Hannah Smith ’26

Arts & Entertainment Executive Editor

“Project Hail Mary” is a masterclass in blockbuster filmmaking, delivering a thrilling, heartwarming, and endlessly entertaining journey through space. Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, best known for “The Lego Movie” and “21 Jump Street,” have crafted something you don’t see very often, especially now—a film that respects its audience’s intelligence while remaining completely accessible to viewers of all ages.

The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking. Because of the use of practical effects and built sets, the film doesn’t feel overly manufactured. The inside of the Hail Mary, the ship that Ryan Gosling’s character Ryland Grace, lives on, is so meticulously crafted, it genuinely feels like it could take off into space at any second. It is truly a feat in film. Whether that be the string of astrophage that lights up the screen or the sweeping cliffs on Earth, you are constantly reminded of the beauty of filmmaking.

At its heart, “Project Hail Mary” is a buddy film, and it’s one of the best bromances ever committed to screen. The relationship between Gosling’s Ryland Grace and the alien robot Rocky, evolves beautifully from cautious mistrust to genuine affection and friendship. Rocky becomes the emotional anchor of the film, being the perfect companion for Grace while he navigates saving the world, all while speaking an alien language. The banter between Grace and Rocky is hilarious, touching and deeply heartfelt.

Something that makes “Project Hail Mary” so special and unlike many recent films is its ability to make complex science digestible without dumbing it down. The film trusts its audience to understand orbital mechanics, biology and astrophysics while presenting these concepts through compelling storytelling rather than lines and lines of exposition. Families can enjoy it together without feeling like they’re not smart enough to understand. They can just let it wash over them and still understand the basics of whatever’s going on. It’s a rare gem that appeals across generations and doesn’t require a physics degree.

The runtime never feels overwhelming because the filmmakers maintain a perfect rhythm, balancing action, humor and character storylines. The humor is perfectly calibrated, never undermining the drama but providing essential relief. Ryan Gosling’s delivery of witty one-liners and his character’s deadpan observations about his impossible situation generate consistent laughs while maintaining narrative integrity. He captures the character’s isolation, determination, and good-heartedness with nuanced authenticity.

A true adaptation to Andy Weir’s beloved novel, “Project Hail Mary” is proof that original blockbusters can still deliver spectacle, heart and substance. It’s a film that will entertain, inspire and remind us why we love going to the movies.

Cinestudio had planned to screen “Project Hail Mary” in early April, but they were forced to postpone it because of the Clean Screen Policy—distributors of the film require that a screen only plays their film, so Cinestudio can only play “Project Hail Mary” because they are a one-screen theater. Keep an eye out for any updates on the Cinestudio website in the coming weeks, and don’t miss out on one of the cinematic events of the year!