Anticipation (Before Preview): 70 out of 100
Anticipation (After Preview): 90 out of 100
Ridley Scott, Matt Damon, a great supporting cast. Why isn’t this 100/100? There’s just something about it that can’t commit to this being absolutely, without a doubt, must see.
Maybe it’s the derivative Rounders-esque narration from Damon? Or maybe it’s just fatigue after Gravity and Interstellar? Or how similar the Damon character in The Martian looks to the character he played in Interstellar? Then there’s that whole “Help is only 140 million miles away” tagline combined with the “He’s 50 million miles away from home” line dropped by Chiwetel Ejiofor in the trailer that seems unusually vital to the plot. (Just a guess here: On average, Mars is 140 million miles away from Earth but his potential rescuers discover Mars will be closer than normal which provides a window for rescue. Am I close?)
Needless to say, even at 90 out of 100, I’ll be strapped in for take off.