More than 10 years on since the release of Ridley Scott’s The Martian, comes another space-set Andy Weir adaptation that brings adventure back to our screens with an old-school crowd pleaser with the added comedic flair of directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

We meet Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), as he wakes up from some form of hyper sleep, alone, on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there. As flashbacks gradually unfold throughout the film, we learn that our sun is dying and he is on the last chance mission to the only other star that isn’t succumbing to this fate to try and save the world. Shortly after awakening, and still with minimal memory of what he is doing there, he is contacted by an alien lifeform, who he christens Rocky on account of his build, whose ship pulls alongside his and it is soon established has the same mission as Grace. The two soon form a relationship and shared basis of scientific knowledge to work together to save both of their species.

What follows is an absorbing and entertaining blend that has a touch of the old-school about it. Our initially hapless hero slowly gains confidence and credence as the film progresses and his character is shaded in by the flashbacks. The chosen narrative structure is interesting and offers the film its initial hook and tension – why is Grace on board and how did he get there from being a high school science teacher? – maintaining some mystery through to the third act. The slow unfolding of his backstory throughout the film offers us a better look at his motivations and character and gives us a chance to see Grace in the context of other people and his relationships with them (particularly with the project leader, played with a well-judged coolness by Sandra Hüller) but not falling into melodrama in detailing some drastic backstory or long-lost love to motivate him on his mission. The film’s world is also engrossing, with great set design on show inside and outside both Grace and Rocky’s respective spaceships, with inventive style that easily lends itself to iconography, such as Rocky’s bubble of breathable air. It is clearly a film crafted with a lot of heart.

However, the meat of the film is set in space and revolves entirely around the relationship between Grace and Rocky; it is a credit to Gosling and the puppeteers and character designers that this man-rock friendship becomes so investable. Gosling puts in an excellent performance, flexing his comedic chops and undeniable movie star charisma to great effect; the man literally has chemistry with a rock. He also lets out a scream at one point that, in my opinion, rivals his work in The Nice Guys. The entire film really rests on his shoulders as, often, the only person on screen and he delivers. Rocky’s design and movement allow you to feel emotion from him before he is given a voice; given he is an alien without a face, this is no mean feat. Their relationship is lovely and builds steadily, providing the heart of the film, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights needed to give its climax the full emotional weight it is striving for.

Lord and Miller’s (excellent) comic sensibilities are infused into the whole film but they generally command a strong hold on the film’s blend of tone and genre. Perhaps as a result of its crowd-pleasing nature, the film does end up leaning more buddy comedy than end-of-the-world adventure. The brevity of the tone and the frequent banter and jokes take away from the high-stakes of the mission. Perhaps this is refreshing in a genre that has become very serious in the past decade, but it ultimately leaves the film a little lacking in drama. Most challenges are overcome quite quickly and without much difficulty; at times this can be forgiven in the service of story (the translation from Rocky’s language to English happens at quite a pace), although all around it makes the film feel removed from the grounded sci-fi Weir is known for.

A little overlong and perhaps a touch light, this is still an entertaining adventure with loveable characters that feels like a throwback whilst offering something fresh. Sure to enchant audiences worldwide, it’s a great time out at the cinema and you can see this being a family favourite staple down the line.