What Happens When You Abandon the Buddy System

As Springfield Elementary third grade teacher Mrs. McConnel will tell you, the Buddy System is fullproof.

But when you abandon the buddy system, as we saw in The Martian, the film that is the subject of this post, we leave people behind.  In this case, on another planet.

Nominated for Best Picture, and a bunch of other Oscars, is based on the novel by Andy Weir.  Staring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain and a number of other talented actors and actresses, this is one of the few Science Fiction movies to be nominated for best picture.  And it was good enough to be nominated.

Not based on a true story, some point in the future a team of astronauts are on Mars when a massive storm hits.  They decide to abort the mission and fly off the planet.  They leave behind one of their astronauts, played by Matt Damon of course, since they thought he was dead.  Proof that NASA should use the buddy system.  Turns out he didn't die and has to find a way to survive on Mars while they figure a way to get back to the planet and save him.  In the meantime, since it takes years to get back to Mars, Earth years not Mars years mind you, he has to find a way to survive.  Such as growing his own food.  And creating water.

Directed by Ridley Scott, who has done a few good sci-fi films here and there, this is more of a drama that is based in science fiction.  Which is why the film works and feels somewhat realistic.  Great special effects as well.  But how did it rank for the other nominated films of 2015?

Since this is the second film I am reviewing from that year, it is now in first place with Mad Max nipping on it's heels in second place.