The biggest achievement in my opinion that this movie pulls off is juggling two stories at the same time: Mark Watney's story on Mars and NASA trying to bring him home. Both of these concepts could carry their own movies, and this becomes apparent while watching the movie. Both sides are equally as interesting as the other. What also amazes me is that with two radically different settings, they both feel like they're a part of the same movie. It also helps that this movie is very well acted and scripted, making this an overall great time at the movies.