If the sun starts to be devoured by microscopic alien bacteria and life across the span of space is threatened, of course Ryan Gosling would be the man to save it.

"Project Hail Mary" is a tremendous hit in a genre that teems with misses. Not only is it a great film overall, but it evokes feelings and emotional processes not always affiliated with science-fiction works: sympathy, despair, compassion, humor.

Hope.

While a sense of isolation is often fairly prominent in space settings, "Project Hail Mary" offers an optimistic twist that we're not alone in the universe, and that a good friend will make sure you're not alone. Especially when you sleep.

A last-ditch effort to save the world finds middle school science teacher Rylan Grace (Gosling) in the hands of government operatives undertaking a classified mission to save the sun from "Astrophage," hungry microbes that are eating the sun at such a rate that it will die, and take all life in the solar system with it, in about 30 years.

And they're not just consuming Sol — nearly every other known star is also on the menu.

Grace had lost credibility in academic circles of his previous life as a molecular biologist for espousing unconventional theories on alien life. 

It is those very theories that capture the attention of Eva Stratt (Sandra Hüller), the no-nonsense lead of the top-secret "Project Hail Mary" who urges Grace to contribute his brilliance to prevent the world from freezing. He is not heroic, nor does he want to be a hero, so some strong, um, convincing is deployed to ensure he finds his way. 

The story is told in a series of flashbacks after Grace wakes up on a spaceship headed for a faraway system where one star seems to be unaffected by the Astrophage.

Grace doesn't immediately recover the memories of who he is, where he is going or why he is literally out in the middle of nowhere, creating a terrifying reality that he is utterly, painfully alone.

But he's not alone for long. An encounter with another ship leads to a chance meeting between two species who learn to communicate and work together to save both of their worlds. The connection between Grace and the alien he calls "Rocky" (voiced/played by James Ortiz) becomes the heartbeat of the story, providing comic relief and emotional moments that may cause tears to stream down unexpecting cheeks.

As well as a beautiful story where the fate of the universe is teetering on the head of a pin, "Project Hail Mary" is shot in such a way that audiences feel like they're on the ship with Grace. The lighting is gorgeous and a few different sequences are so dazzling one almost forgets the danger and consequence that could befall Grace at any wrong move. Although, there are a few moments that serve as reminders that he is way out in space without a safety net.

Based on Andy Weir's novel of the same name, "Project Hail Mary" is more than worth the lengthy two-hour-and-36-minute run time. The always charismatic Gosling is believable as a science nerd of minimal courage, and the relationship he forms with his new alien ally renews one's belief that with a little communication, beings from different planets can get along, and even become the best of friends.

"Project Hail Mary," directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, is rated PG-13. It was released March 20 by Amazon MGM Studios and is now in theaters.

    This image released by Amazon MGM Studios shows Ryan Gosling, left, and Sandra Hüller in a scene from "Project Hail Mary."
  

    This image released by Amazon MGM Studios shows Ryan Gosling in a scene from "Project Hail Mary."