It was a really good film, but I personally found Gravity to be better. It delivered far more when it came to both emotion and action. I got fed up with the pacing of the plot (in The Martian). I think they could have started it possibly from somewhere in the middle and we could have been told beginning of the plot through flashbacks, recordings, news stories, conversations on Earth, etc. it might have been cool if we entered the story as he was traveling in the rover to the crater and we learned piece-by-piece how he got there and what he was doing just so the story didn't drag on so much. That isn't always popular with viewers so I get why they went with a more clearer plot structure. Another thing is that the connections between the crew, the commander and Mark didn't feel sincere or real. Constant, lighthearted teasing does not equal the total commitment, trust and closeness that was being translated through their actions. It seemed really forced to me. I also didn't understand the motivations behind Terry, the NASA director. At first he seemed like he was the clear "villain" in the story and that he would cause a real obstacle to Mark's rescue, but his influence on the plot really thinned as the movie went on and he faded to almost a background character. I know, I know, he delayed communication with the crew about Mark and canceled the inspections on the provision pod but my point is he was set up to be an antagonist and he ended up almost like a stern but somewhat well-meaning principal who can't control these crazy kids from following their hearts. Anyways, I did really like the film and I'd love to re-watch it at home so I can relax in soft pillows and take stretching breaks, cause it's one long-ass movie, but in my opinion I don't think it was as impactful and as well-done as Gravity.