The Martian: A Financial Masterpiece

It is possible to divide the work, and we must describe it as such, of Ridley Scott, into two portions: The major and the minor pieces. The major being of the medium; and the minor, the product. 

These "products" are defined by the same elements which define corporate cinema, which are literary or "of plot".

Now The Martian is a problematic film. It's light tone trivializes it's survivalist narrative.  However, note the number of establishing shots, disguised by an inept device, visual shelves for dates which feign importance. Cinema's probing transgression is found least in these simple expressions of language. The prime of convention, they are non-committal assurances.

Yet, is it not this confrontation-lessness that defines the corporate cinema? Alas in narrative but certainly! This is the convergence of the major and minor. Corporate principles but by language.

The Martian (2015)

dir. Ridley Scott