Why You Should Take Your Kids to See The Martian

Humor, heart, intense action, and scientists as heroes: The Martian is a compelling film experience that will have your family sitting on the edge of their seats; laughing, cheering, and dreaming of becoming scientists. You should take your kids to see The Martian, but know that it is PG-13 for good reason.

Not Another Space Film

I don’t like space movies and I wasn’t particularly keen to watch this one. My husband, however, devours space-related fact and fiction, so we chose The Martian for our most recent date night. After reading (and loving) the book, Tim couldn’t wait to see the film opening night. I expected an evening of mild amusement, praying that it wouldn’t put me to sleep like Apollo 13 or trap me in a futuristic space ship for 2 hours like Star Trek. Just 5 minutes in, I forgot all of my misgivings and found myself eagerly leaning in to see more.

The Story

Matt Damon stars as Mark Watney, a NASA astronaut left behind on Mars by his crew when they believe him dead after an emergency evacuation during an intense storm. Watney is instantly likable, as he consistently responds to dire and frustrating circumstances with humor, confidence, and problem solving. He is no Chuck Noland eating fruit and slowly going crazy, but a man on a mission. As Mark works to find ways to survive on Mars, we watch the responses of NASA, his crew mates, and the world at large to his predicament.

Scientists as Heroes

Science and problem solving are front and center in this film in the most compelling way. I’ll admit that I didn’t always understand the science behind the solutions in this film, but I wanted to. The “science” never felt tedious or boring and it became even more fascinating when I learned that most of The Martian is plausible. Viewers are drawn in as Mark talks to the camera like an old friend about his ideas, then puts them into action through a methodical process. We feel the pressure on the employees of NASA to come up with solutions to problems they’ve never faced before. When the crew of The Hermes must combine their education and problem-solving skills to make life and death decisions, it is more impressive than Superman’s flying or Batman’s toys. These are characters we can relate to and people our children can look up to and realistically become.

A Diverse Cast

The Ares III crew is led by Mission Commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain), an intelligent, authoritative, compassionate leader. She is clearly respected and gifted. I love that she is a character both girls and boys will look to as a role model. While there are more men than women working at NASA (and the scientists at the top are all men), the film has a relatively diverse cast. I was especially impressed by the excellent Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) as Vincent Kapoor, a NASA engineer tasked with not only communicating with Mark, but leading the work to rescue him. Bruce Ng, portrayed by Benedict Wong, is excellent as the director at Jet Propulsion Laboratories, given the impossible task of providing supplies to Mark with no time or budget. The film offers a fully developed cast with a diverse group of role models for kids to look up to.

Emphasis on Teamwork

While the story centers on Mark Watney, the film truly features an ensemble cast. We see the importance of working together toward a common goal, the value of strong leadership, and what can happen when active, curious minds work together. While the characters do not always agree on what is right or best, they are rarely motivated by ego or selfishness. The film emphasizes the complexities of making ethical decisions, the challenges of coming to a decision as a team, and the importance of a strong leader to make tough calls. I especially loved the portrayal of the Ares III crew, with men and women working and living side-by-side as a team; each with their own specialty and necessary contribution.

Science is Exciting

The only small lull in the film came during a particularly long journey for Mark when  he was emaciated and exhausted. This seems like an odd thing to say in a film where we watch a man count food, figure out how to create a water supply, plant potatoes, and communicate with NASA using outdated technology. And that’s what makes The Martian such a unique and captivating experience. I caught my breath watching The Martian, whispered “Could he really do that?” in awe to my husband, and marveled at the ingenuity when scientists and engineers hypothesize and experiment. I couldn’t look away from Mark’s patient approach to dismantling every problem and waited with bated breath for a young astrodynamicist to finish the sentence “or it would be easier if we…” When Watney asserts, “I’m gonna have to science the s#!@ out of this!,” I wanted to cheer and your kids will too.

Intensity Blended with Humor

Matt Damon’s Mark Watney will have you from hello. His is just the right mix of confidence, charm, humility, and humor. His go-to attitude isn’t cloying and he rarely crosses over to cockiness. Mark knows the reality of his circumstances, but refuses to give up, tapping into his education and experience. The film is definitely intense, including dangerous storms, a bloody injury, and devastating set backs. It rarely becomes to heavy for a tween audience, however, expertly blending suspense, action, problem solving, and engaging dialogue. This movie feels good without being a feel-good or buddy movie. It’s exciting without being an action film. It includes science fiction elements without feeling out there or dry.

The PG-13 Rating

We don’t usually show our children PG-13 movies. Harry Potter is the notable exception. While I want to show The Martian to my children, I would probably wait until 11 or 12, due to language and a bloody injury. Don’t hold me to it, though. I believe in trusting your instincts as a parent on these things. What makes the movie PG-13?

• What Common Sense Media refers to as “Salty Language.” A verbal use of the “f” word, as well as few written instances, but in understandable circumstances. Additional swear words are used in the film, but not to a memorable degree.
• Serious wound in the beginning of the film, with blood and removal of an object without medication (I looked away and grimaced).
• Life and death situations.
• A view of an emaciated naked body from behind. This is not sexual in any way.
• Intense action scenes.

Go See it in the Theatre

We don’t go to the theatre often, but this one is worth it. We caught a 3D showing, but I think you can skip the extra fees and have just as good of an experience. This is a film to enjoy on the big screen without distractions. Take your kids, make it a family event, and then talk science all the way home.

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post and paid for my own tickets. I simply loved the movie and wanted to share.