Hi, this is Mark Kermode. Thanks, I'm learning this Kermod on film podcast. Or if you're watching on our YouTube channel, welcome to the Sun Pub in the heart of London's glittering West End. We love coming here, not least because they allow us to. They allow us to, even when the pub is closed, because we're recording this conversation now. The pub is not even open. Jack, what are we talking about today?

Hello, everybody. Today, we're going to be talking about the new Phil Lord and

Chris Miller movie, Project Hail Mary starring Ryan Gosling. And a rock.

And a rock. Spoilers. And a rock.

So, Jack. Yes, Mark. Project Hail Mary.

Great, big science fiction film that I saw in IMAX knowing nothing. So were you at that same screening? No, I went and paid for it because I'm not special enough to get invited every single time like you. Well, if you keep working at it, you know, maybe you send to these lofty heights. So here's the thing. So I hadn't read the book. the book is by the same guy he wrote the book of The Martian. And all I knew was that it was two hours something long. It was at, it started at a certain time because I had to run there from a screening beforehand. And Ryan Gosling was in it. So I went in with absolutely no idea what it was. I knew, I'd seen a poster, so I knew it was kind of science fiction film. But you had no idea that he was meeting an alien friend. Nothing at all. I knew nothing other than it was right. Yeah. And honestly, it was one of those moments when you think being a film critic is the best job in the world because you can walk into a massive screening of something like you wouldn't pay 25 quid to see a film you knew nothing about.

But there was I in the IMAX screening and the thing starts and two and a half hours later, whatever it was.

I thought I haven't had that much fun in the cinema in a really long time and I came out of it with a smile on my face and almost literally skipping down the street because I just

enjoyed it so much. Now, for anyone who hasn't seen it, give me a thumbnail of the setup.

Okay, so it is the new film by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Who are?

Who are the, but they came to prominence directing the 21 Jump Street reboots.

They also directed the pilot of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

So they're kind of from a comedy background.

And they, in more recent years, wrote and produced the Spider-Verse franchise.

And this is their first live-action film, I think, since being fired from Hans Solo.

Wow.

I think it is.

That's right. I've actually forgotten that.

Yeah.

What a weird little story that is.

And they brought him Ron Howard to just be steer the ship, get us over the line.

These guys are taking too long improvising.

...