The Space Between Us

[RAMA]

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In this interplanetary adventure, a space shuttle embarks on the first mission to colonize Mars, only to discover after takeoff that one of the astronauts is pregnant. Shortly after landing, she dies from complications while giving birth to the first human born on the red planet – never revealing who the father is. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Gardner Elliot – an inquisitive, highly intelligent boy who reaches the age of 16 having only met 14 people in his very unconventional upbringing.

While searching for clues about his father, and the home planet he’s never known, Gardner begins an online friendship with a street smart girl in Colorado named Tulsa. When he finally gets a chance to go to Earth, he’s eager to experience all of the wonders he could only read about on Mars – from the most simple to the extraordinary. But once his explorations begin, scientists discover that Gardner’s organs can’t withstand Earth’s atmosphere.

Eager to find his father, Gardner escapes the team of scientists and joins with Tulsa on a race against time to unravel the mysteries of how he came to be, and where he belongs in the universe.

In Theaters December 21, 2016

 

[Borgminister]

Kind of a wafer thin, if somewhat original premise. Doesn't look too deep, but a good chick flick type lite sci fi.

 

[Reverend]

Yeah, that's quite possibly the most unnecessarily convoluted set-up to a teen romance that I've ever seen. I mean they could have achieved the same effect if he'd just had some rare genetic condition and been stuck in a hospital his whole life.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

The Fault in our Mars

And shouldn't Tulsa be from Oklahoma? Or be named Telluride or something? Then again, my sister was named after a month she wasn't born in ensuring awkward answers to numerous people when she was a little girl.

 

[RAMA]

Looks like it might just be a little variety in the scifi slate. if it's any good at all I'll stream it.

RAMA

 

[Noname Given]

Thing is - If he grew up soley on Mars, he would have major issues with Earth's gravity (IE standing, walking) to begin with. It shouldn't take a team of scientists to 'suddenly' realize he can't survive long on Earth.
^^^
But hey, who needs facts in a science fiction film?...

 

[Argus Skyhawk]

Yeah, that's quite possibly the most unnecessarily convoluted set-up to a teen romance that I've ever seen. I mean they could have achieved the same effect if he'd just had some rare genetic condition and been stuck in a hospital his whole life.

True, but that background would not have been as much fun.

 

[Reverend]

True, but that background would not have been as much fun.

Well if we're just talking in terms of visuals, then you don't need a Mars backstory for that either. They could have this whole thing about imaginary worlds he creates in his mind while stuck in his hospital bed which could give the film vivid, hyper-real vistas like the kind in 'Big Fish', 'What Dreams May Come' 'The Lovely Bones' etc. Or if they really wanted a sci-fi technological edge then they could instead go with VR worlds, which opens the story up to a few allegorical possibilities about device dependency, living in a literal and virtual bubble.

But no, they'd rather go all that way so they can say he has a weak heart. Because romance?

 

[Vorpal_Blade]

My wife would probably like it.

 

[Gaith]

The Fault in our Mars

 

[Commander Richard]

The movie is being panned by critics but I saw it and liked it. It's a nice balance between near-future sci fi and romance. It didn't feel like the Mars story was just a backdrop.

The trailer above is pretty much a truncated version of the movie (I hate when they do that, I guess they didn't have much confidence in the film) but it does have a few surprises towards the end and it's compelling to watch the first person born on Mars adapt to visiting Earth for the first time. Three things stood out though...

1. The characters appeared to have had real-time chat sessions between Earth and Mars when there should be a delay of several minutes.
2. Our Martian boy, while knowledgeable about Earth through the internet, still acts like a fish out of water at times when he probably shouldn't. I mean, I wouldn't be shocked to see animals up close that I've only seen pictures of and I know how to pronounce "Arizona" even though I've never been there.
3. The movie doesn't explore the worldwide ramifications of this boy's life because his existence has been kept a secret from the public. I thought that was a lost opportunity. As a result, the story felt a little too insular with only a handful of people involved in this whole fiasco.

I also liked Britt Robertson, and Gary Oldman is Gary Oldman. The earth tones and the uplifting music are a plus as well. This was a bright and colorful film, both literally and figuratively. The movie is worth a look for any sci fi fan. It's got enough to both enjoy and pick apart.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

1. The characters appeared to have had real-time chat sessions between Earth and Mars when there should be a delay of several minutes.

Yep, a delay of somewhere between 4 and 24 minutes depending on where Earth and Mars are in their respective orbits. Perhaps there's an ansible-like technology as in Ender's Game that allows instant communication.

ETA: It does seem to me, however, that not having a time delay would undermine the sense of spatial separation and isolation. I'll probably watch this when it shows up on a (legitimate) streaming service.

 

[Gaith]

Important Question: does the film supply the DMB goods?!

♬ ♭ The SPACE between... your something lives... will make you something maybe, in the end... ♪ ♫

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[Commander Richard]

No DMB.

 

[publiusr]

They got the spacecraft down pretty well.

 

[Mach5]

Yep, a delay of somewhere between 4 and 24 minutes depending on where Earth and Mars are in their respective orbits. Perhaps there's an ansible-like technology as in Ender's Game that allows instant communication.

Well that's disappointing. Characters getting to know each other through non-realtime correspondence would work just as well.

But then people would trash it for being "You've Got Mail" in space.