The Martian - Book vs. Movie?

[siberian202angel]

Hey everyone!
I absolutely loved Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, but I haven't yet read his first, The Martian.

I am looking for suggestions what to start on, book or movie.
In general, I tend to check out both. However, if a film is sub-par, it usually takes me a long time to pick up the book, if at all. Has anyone seen the movie and/or read the book and can give me suggestions on which to approach first?

[AddictedToReading]

It's so worth the read. The movie and book are both very different in a lot of ways.....the book does expand on more things and some things wasn't in the book...

I believe reading the book will give you more insight into the characters and depth of the plot......

Lol if I don't like the movie I rarely read the book......

[siberian202angel]

What I thought, with the book being more detailed and offering more depth...
So far, I haven't heard anyone speak bad about the movie, but not many people in my circle of friends have actually read the book itself, which is why I'm looking for a broader opinion of fellow readers.

Lol if I don't like the movie I rarely read the book......

Well, I keep dragging me feet... Sometimes I think it's a tad bit unfair to the writer, as it's usually not entirely his fault if some hotshot director butchered the material. I keep thinking of Eragon, for example - I adored the books, but the movie was a spectacular fail.

[Par]

Book. Definitely. Movie was okay. Book was great. Only once that I can remember has a movie been as good as the book and that was Nick Hornby's "About a Boy", movie was with Hugh Grant and a very young Nicholas Hoult.

Oh, and I guess I should add The Godfather, but I think Mario Puzo also wrote the script for the movie, so didn't feel the need, as so many scriptwriters do, of adding their own spin.

[JellyBelly]

Both. I enjoyed the movie only because The Martian is my favorite book of all time (and I am old). I am generally not fond of watching movies. Nor am I fond of science fiction (which I guess The Martian is).

[siberian202angel]

It is good to know that The Martian appeals to even those who do not read much SciFi - which definitely goes for me. I guess I will read the book first and then watch the movie at some later stage when it's shown on TV...