In “Project Hail Mary,” the new science-fiction film based on Andy Weir’s 2021 novel of the same name, the apocalypse is upon us. The sun is dying, and Earth’s only chance for survival is a reluctant sixth-grade science teacher.Yet the belief that “maybe the future isn’t something to be afraid of, maybe it’s just something to figure out” is what drew actor Ryan Gosling to the role of Ryland Grace.“I was so grateful just as a father to get to make a story for my kids [and their generation] that kind of reminds you of what we’re capable of as human beings,” he said to Jason and Travis Kelce during an appearance on their “New Heights” podcast. The positive possibilities that humans can achieve through science are at the center of Weir’s novel. It’s also at the core of Phil Lord’s and Christopher Miller’s direction in the film. The duo aimed to show, as Lord told Scientific American, how science “can be used in a way that’s hopeful and optimistic about the future.” Not only does “Project Hail Mary” faithfully adapt Weir’s novel to maintain this central idea, but it also tells an equally moving and funny story that will captivate both kids and adults. Ultimately, Grace’s cinematic journey through space is a reminder of why, in a world of small screens, we still go to the movies. CAUTION: SPOILERS BELOW THE TRAILERIn the opening scene, Grace wakes up on a spaceship 11.9 million light-years from Earth after a multi-year, medically induced coma. His two crewmates are dead, and he doesn’t remember who he is or the purpose of his mission. He doesn’t even know that he is Earth’s last hope.Astrophage, a star-eating organism, is dimming the sun and threatening all life on the planet. It has also infected every star in neighboring systems except one. Grace’s mission is to visit that galaxy and figure out why this star is immune so he can save the sun and, by extension, Earth. Using flashbacks, the movie shows how Grace, a molecular biologist turned middle school teacher, is tapped by the dry-witted Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller) to help unravel the mystery of what Astrophage is and how it can be used to create an alternative fuel source to propel a spaceship farther than any human has ever traveled. The caveat being that there’s not enough Astrophage to return, so the astronauts on board must accept they are making a one-way trip. Sandra Hüller stars as Eva Stratt with Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace in "Project Hail Mary."Jonathan Olley/Amazon MGM StudiosGrace is both an unlikely and a reluctant hero, and Gosling shines in this role. With raw charm and a pair of glasses, he perfectly captures the flaws of a disruptive scientist turned charismatic teacher turned unwilling astronaut. As Grace says, “I put the ‘not’ in astronaut.” It’s humor like this and Grace’s propensity for self-preservation that make him the kind of protagonist you want to root for on a journey through space. Grace becomes even more likable after he befriends Rocky, an alien who also wants to stop Astrophage from destroying his home planet. Rocky is central to Grace’s journey, and their relationship is the vehicle that adds layers of emotional depth and humor to the film. One reason Rocky’s character was so fascinating is that he was not fully animated via CGI. Puppeteer James Ortiz, who also voiced the character, brought the faceless alien to life. The effect of this realism is that it fosters chemistry, and that chemistry makes it possible to suspend disbelief and get sucked into the story of how an odd friendship might actually save two planets. It also gives “Project Hail Mary” a Spielbergian essence that will appeal to kids.Weir is known for methodically grounding his stories in real science without making them feel dense, and the script by Drew Goddard achieves this same balance, making the plot feel both accessible and substantiated. The overall result is that in the climactic moment when the pair get a shot to save their worlds, it feels like they really can. Science offers the same hope to the people who see the movie as it did for those who read the book, and this is its ultimate achievement. “Project Hail Mary” is the kind of movie that you will want to see on the big screen in a theater filled with people gasping, laughing and crying. After the credits roll, you’ll want to talk about it on the way home. Thanks to Gosling’s charm, the film’s cinematic scale, the funny dialogue and his touching relationship with Rocky, you’ll almost certainly recommend it to your friends. Also, and perhaps most importantly, because the film offers a story of hope at a time when the world feels very dark. “Project Hail Mary” is now streaming on Prime Video. HuffPost originally ran this article when the film hit theaters in March.