This film is one of those deals that comes along once in a lifetime. Granted, I’d read the onslaught of negative, mixed, and seemingly great reviews that have been put out in the last couple of weeks, and kept my expectations to a dull roar. In the end, I walked out of the theater feeling not just fully satisfied at what I witnessed for the 169 minute running time, but in awe at the Mise-en-scene of stunning visuals, and multi-layered emotions that were fused into this movie like a bloody horse tranquilizer. This movie had me so gripped, I admittedly held my need to use the men’s room for the entire duration of the film. And that my friends is the mark of a stellar motion picture.
As far as the plot? Let’s keep this very simple: Matthew McConaughey, who plays a once former astronaut named “Cooper”, decides it’s in his best interests to try and save a dying Earth from long-term extinction– Crops are no longer flourishing, and plenty of dry, dusty, not cultivating air is turning the planet into a wasteland. Along for the ride are other actors/actresses like Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, and even John freaking Lithgow! (good to see him in movies again). There are a few others peppered in I won’t dare mention, but be prepared for a surprise or two. Nonetheless, the cast knocks the acting aspect of the film out of the park. McConaughey in particular makes you feel like you’re living this adventure through his eyes, and reactions–His fears are your fears throughout the course of this film.
Additionally, the special effects are what will truly suck you in and spit you out (in the best way possible) when all is said and done. Throw in an incredible pulse pounding Hans Zimmer score, and it fits the visual elements like a glove. There’s one scene in particular, dealing with travel through a Black Hole, that should blow your mind and potentially get you wondering what it would be like to partake in space travel, that far out from mother earth. Isn’t that the point of feature films? Get the wheels turning as you leave the theater? Too many times that isn’t the case with hyped up Sci-Fi motion pictures, and thankfully Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar doesn’t disappoint.
Fast forward towards the film’s final act, and without giving anything too specific away, there are some big ideas front and center concerning dimensional plains that we exist in, i.e. is there a 4th/5th dimension we can’t see? Is time relative? Does it bend? For most that may sound too trippy, but trust me, it’s presented in such a manner that the wheels of imagination will begin churning in your own brain. It’s the science presented in this film that even if you’re not enchanted with how the story plays out, you’ll be taken aback by the obvious thought and planning that went into trying to portray science in an authentic manner (Yeah Science!, Mr. White)
Big ideas aside, it should also be noted this film touches on the darker side of humanity in terms of being deceitful, and misleading for various reasons, some just, and some absolutely not acceptable at all. To try and peel back the layers of what’s going on in just one viewing is too tall an order , and I surmise this is the kind of film that will be talked about 20-30 years from now, much in the same vein that 2001: A Space Odyssey is still being debated today.
Now, for a film with such visual intensity, and unnerving moments, is a story about the bond of family and how sacred it can be for many. Early on in the film, McConaughey’s character reminds his son he won’t be around forever to show him how certain life tasks are done. It’s one of those subtle nods that nothing lasts forever, and was a nice building block for establishing the emotional pulse of this film before the main character goes off on his out-worldly adventure.
And If there’s one main critique I do have for Interstellar, it’s that maybe a little more time needed to be spent showing Cooper with his family on earth before blasting off into the far reaches of space. Once his character decides he needs to try and save the Earth, everything happens just a wee bit too fast in terms of him re-joining NASA. However, when you’re trying to cram in 169 minutes worth of material, I can also see why certain editing choices were made.
In the end, any film that sparks your imagination to wonder and awe more about why we are on this planet, what’s awaiting us out there in deep space, to the idea that maybe humans will need to pack up and find other suitable planets to live on someday is not only a damn good film, but a thought provoking one at that. Do yourself a favor, even if you’re not a self-proclaimed science fiction junkie, hit the eject button from your comfort zone and see this film! It just may stoke your furnace of curiosity for years to come. Nuff said!
**** 4/4 stars
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