Project Hail Mary: What Works, What Drags in Gosling's Space Hit

Project Hail Mary holds 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 77 Metacritic score, with an 'A' CinemaScore from audiences.

Worldwide box office sits near $682 million, making it Amazon MGM's highest-grossing film ever.

The biggest praise: Gosling's warmth and his odd-couple bond with the alien Rocky.

The biggest gripe: critics say the buddy-comedy tone undercuts the life-or-death stakes.

Running 2 hours 36 minutes, the flashback-heavy structure tested some viewers' patience.