Bringing back the science in science fiction, The Martian is a joyous plea into the pit of space and a celebration of the glowing power of human ingenuity. More or less a love letter to nerds everywhere, science and math play co-lead as the heroes, a very pleasant sentiment for any Hollywood blockbuster to have. Following a long line of similar “you can do it” movies from The Right Stuff to Apollo 13, this is the optimist’s guide to the galaxy. Serving as a triple hit of mainlined serotonin, famed director Ridley Scott’s latest movie hits all the notes of big screen, breezy, credibly cheer-worthy entertainment. While not rich in themes—the titular character doesn’t contemplate his existential place in the universe—as one of the most likable, easy to recommend movies of the year, The Martian is quality mid-brow fun demanding to be seen on the biggest screen possible.

Comparisons to Cast Away and Gravity are both inevitable and appropriate. Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is part of a diverse crew, made up of actors Jessica Chastain, Michael Peña, Sebastian Stan, and Aksel Hennie, and in a scene that recalls a storm in Prometheus, they’re consumed by a deadly Martian storm that seemingly manifested out of nowhere. Effective but unnecessary 3D effects sing in this early storm sequence—rock and debris consume the frame with scattering chaos like a million swarming bees, and in the confusion Watney is lost and quickly presumed dead. The crew leaves and sets travel back to Earth. What follows is scene after scene of a very alive Watney problem solving everything from food to oxygen to transport; in his words he has to “science the shit out of this.” Playing into the film’s natural likability is how the plot sidesteps the usual the pitfalls. Suspense is never bought cheaply: when obstacles are encountered, and of course they are, it’s never, I repeat never because they did something stupid like pull the wrong lever or nod off at the wrong time. This is an intelligent story with intelligent characters who work out their problems, well, intelligently, and it’s a breath of fresh air in a movie culture overwhelmed with stupid.

The stacked cast ranging from Sean Bean to Donald Glover does fine work in their respective roles, although the scenes of the space crew have a peculiar sterility—they never convince as a group of close friends so much as coworkers who get along. How they all come to play a part in the deceptively complex story is key to this journey, and seeing all the puzzle pieces start to fit is incredibly satisfying.