The Martian: 8 Ways It Shows Hollywood How To Do Science Right

Right, I have written (whinged) quite a bit in the past about the crimes against science committed by the film industry, and I was all ready to do it again for The Martian. 

However, the thing about this film is that its heart is so thoroughly in the right place that it simply doesn't matter that the storm at the beginning wouldn't happen in real life.

The entire attitude to science in this film is a breath of fresh air. I've never been able to put my finger on what exactly irritates me so much about bad movie science, but somehow The Martian has managed to circumvent it with its impertinent refusal to overdramatise Science with a capital "S" for the sake of it.

It also helps that Matt Damon takes his shirt off in the first 15 minutes (because of plot).

Aside from the science, I learnt some other very important things whilst watching The Martian. On my own. In the middle of the day. With an XL Tango Ice Blast (all the flavours, obvs). These are some of them:

1. In the throes of his 40s, Matt Damon is still a total slice

2. Untethered space walks scare the everloving sh*t out of me

3. I am finally able to silence my inner science snob

So, what exactly is it about Ridley Scott's space romp that makes it such a force for good?

(Oh, and, spoilers.)

One of the things that really cheeses me off about the portrayal of science in films is that it all too often conflated with straight up fairy magic in the minds of Hollywood big wigs.

Even films that claim to be heavy on the scientific accuracy will contain a sequence in which there is a big problem, so they call in a scientist who does a Science Thing, whether that's typing like a madman or concocting something in a lab, and everything is magically better in time for the credits to roll.

One of the best things about The Martian is that almost the entire plot centres around having to figure stuff out. 

It doesn't portray science as some kind of dark art that only men in lab coats can do, instead, we get a close up look at the scientific mind at work. 

It is practical, creative and made up of small logical steps backed up by real knowledge. We see Watney doing calculations, using reason and occasionally getting it wrong - there is no "and then a miracle occurs" moment and that is compelling in itself.

Whether its Mark Watney, alone in his makeshift potato field, or the NASA scientists back on Earth, there's an awful lot of "working it out" going on - a process you don't tend to see in all of its organised chaotic glory.