I realize much of the story takes place with events on Earth but, with the frequent cutting back and forth between Mars and Earth, you completely lose any sense of isolation or hopelessness. In contrast the film, Moon, takes place entirely from Sam Rockwell's point of view and that film certainly has the feeling of isolation. It should have been much more profound to have been stranded on Mars but it certainly doesn't feel that way.
And, with the story being told from both Earth and Mars, you don't doubt for a second that Matt Damon will get saved eventually. The Castaway, with Tom Hanks, had a greater sense of desperation and peril. The Martian has none of that. It had the thrills of "how is he going to get out of this one?" but you never thought he wouldn't make it.
The Martian is a superb premise brimming with dramatic potential but realized as a good, yet forgettable, by-the-numbers Hollywood suspense movie.