this post was submitted on 11 Jan 2025
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Ridley Scott explained how studios didn't realize 'The Martian' was a comedy.

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[–] rbos@lemmy.ca 51 points 4 days ago (2 children)

The book was a comedy as well. Tons of great dry jokes. The two are not mutually exclusive.

[–] jerkface@lemmy.ca 12 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

There's a chasm between being funny and being a comedy. Comedy is a genre, and I'd argue doesn't strictly even need to be very funny, if at all.

[–] turkalino@lemmy.yachts 6 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Yeah the old timey definition of a comedy is a story that starts sad but gets better, while a drama is the opposite

[–] BeMoreCareful@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

I thought one ended in a marriage and the other a death.

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Or the Shakespearian definition:

Comedies end in a wedding.
Tragedies end in a funeral.

[–] frayedpickles@lemmy.cafe 3 points 3 days ago

Just shove it in sci-fi/fantasy, easy

[–] Kolanaki@yiffit.net 8 points 3 days ago

This confirms my belief that studios don't have a sense of humor and couldn't spot a joke if it bit them in the nuts.

[–] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 39 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

How did no one realise this? Like half the movie at least is black humour

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 12 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

[Insert standard explanation about the worldwide decline in media literacy here]

[–] frayedpickles@lemmy.cafe 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

100% of the movie is about being stranded a la castaway. Does turning your volleyball into a friend make that a comedy or is it sad?

[–] MrScottyTay@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Depends how it's directed, acted and edited

[–] frayedpickles@lemmy.cafe 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I find it hilarious to watch tom hanks suffer

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

Bruce Campbell too! There used to be film festivals here called "Bruce Abuse!"

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 35 points 4 days ago (2 children)

"Mark Watney: Space Pirate"

[–] ilinamorato@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

The reasoning he went through on that was hilarious. It's definitely something that a person stuck on Mars would think about.

[–] MyDogLovesMe@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago

Like Iron Man!

[–] Sumocat@lemmy.world 25 points 4 days ago (1 children)

It’s a farce: “a light dramatic composition marked by broadly satirical comedy and improbable plot”. It’s played straight. The stakes are serious. It should be a tragedy. But then there’s a literal turning point when they turn around to rescue Watney, and it’s ridiculous.

[–] cynar@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The book makes it make a lot more sense. He actually reasons through what he is doing, and why. The line "I'm going g to science the shit out of it" is practically the mantra, and demonstrated again and again.

The film basically takes this and strips out all the 'boring science' stuff. What's left, while still a good film, is a shadow of the source material.

[–] TheRealKuni@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

I’m hopeful they’ll do Project Hail Mary justice.

[–] ByteOnBikes@slrpnk.net 13 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Maybe it was behind-the-scenes commentary? I recall that one of the goals from the author was that they keep the "positive" outlook. Like, there are plenty of stories of people losing their minds after being stranded.

This would be different.

[–] hperrin@lemmy.ca 10 points 3 days ago (1 children)

This is my favorite book and favorite movie. So I really must wonder, did they read the script? Mark literally makes dirty ASCII art that is broadcast across the earth.

[–] Xtallll@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Have you read "Project Hail Marry"? His' 3rd book I think it's better than The Martian.

[–] TeraByteMarx@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Aren't they turning that into a movie at the moment too?

[–] Xtallll@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 days ago

Yes it should be coming out in 2026.

[–] ryan213@lemmy.ca 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Will have to re-watch. I don't remember much because I'm old.

[–] Fredselfish@lemmy.world 10 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Screw watching the movie. Read the book or better listen to the audiobook its freaking awesome! I own both but end up listening to the audio version rather then reread the book.

[–] Lemming421@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago (3 children)

The film is great as its own thing, but the book is excellent and Wil Wheaton’s narration is perfection.

[–] nieminen@lemmy.world 3 points 3 days ago

He does a great job with ready player one as well

[–] Drusas@fedia.io 2 points 3 days ago

Huh, it had a different narrator when I listened to it. Some guy I had never heard of. He was good, though.

[–] Pulptastic@midwest.social 2 points 3 days ago

Did you see Matt’s disco lips? Definitely comedy.