Last year “Gravity” showed us how terrifying space can actually be. But where’s the beautiful side?
Allie Norman / Equinox Staff
Anybody down on Earth looking up at the stars has to imagine the beauty that waits outside our planet and beyond — I know I do.
To give some context, my favorite film of all time is “2001: A Space Odyssey,” directed by Stanley Kubrick.
That film is a two hour and twenty minute visual feast, representing outer space as a thing to embrace and fear.
Ever since then, I’ve been waiting for another film like that.
While carrying some noticeable flaws, Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” is a marvel to watch on the big screen.
Down on Earth, it seems like humanity may not be able to sustain life.
Looking for a habitable environment elsewhere, NASA sends a crew to travel among the stars.
For Cooper [Matthew McConaughey], it’s especially hard since he’s leaving his daughter Murph [Mackenzie Foy] behind.
Once in space, Cooper works alongside his crew [Anne Hathaway, Wes Bentley and David Gyasi] to determine the fate of humanity.
Before I give my opinion on this film, I urge everybody who hasn’t seen it yet, to see it in theaters.
No matter what my interpretation is, this is a film that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen you can find, just for the visual nature in itself.
Having said that, what did I think of the film as a whole?
Overall, “Interstellar” is a good film. I believe that there is enough here for even the most cynic movie-goer to enjoy. Although there are a few problems that I have with the screenplay, I would rather start with some positives.
Just like I thought he would, Matthew McConaughey did a great job. His character’s emotional core is put to the test whenever his daughter is involved.
I won’t spoil what happens over the course of the film, but there are key moments throughout where McConaughey proves why he’s such a talent in the industry.
Of course, with Christopher Nolan, you have to include Michael Caine somewhere in the mix. He’s not a major force in the film, but he leaves enough of an impact. Playing his daughter is the lovely and talented Anne Hathaway.
At first, I wasn’t too sure about her character, but over time, she grew on me.
She’s the one person on the crew that McConaughey can have a back and forth with.
As for everybody else on the crew, I feel that you should see the film to judge for yourself.
While the performances are good, the visuals are where “Interstellar” shines.
This film probably contains some of the best CGI ever put to film.
There were never any moments where I felt that I was looking at something that wasn’t there, even though it’s all an effect.
Of course with 2001 being my favorite film, I was able to notice the hidden references throughout.
Despite the spectacular visuals and performances, there are some glaring flaws within the screenplay.
“Interstellar” is filled with multiple scientific terms, but I was able to understand the gravity of the situation.
But therein lies the problem.
Exposition is thrown around like free candy. It’s almost like the filmmakers feel that the audience can’t think for themselves.
I don’t need everything spoon-fed to me, I can figure out what’s going on. Honestly, I felt that the film succeeded when it allowed the visuals to tell the story.
Since most of “Interstellar” was trying to explain itself, I rarely asked questions about what I was watching. Not knowing what something is makes it all the more mysterious.
Also, while not terrible, the final ten minutes felt wholly unnecessary.
Nolan set up a perfect place to end everything, but then an epilogue is slapped on, which loses some of the momentum the film had going for it.
Despite these heavy flaws, “Interstellar” is worth seeing on the big screen.
While details of the screenplay may bother me, it may not bother the average movie-goer.
Christopher Nolan made an ambitious film and for that, I have to applaud his efforts.
Rating: B
Matt Bilodeau can be contacted at mbilodeau@keene-equinox.com
