[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vxOhd4qlnA]
Interstellar (2014)
Release Date: November 7, 2014
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Wes Bentley, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Matt Damon
Director: Christopher Nolan
Studio: Syncopy, Lynda Obst Productions, Legendary Pictures
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures
Genre(s): Drama, Science Fiction
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review Spoilers: Low
IMDB | Rotten Tomatoes | Wikipedia
Compared to the space hit of last year, Gravity, Interstellar improves leaps and bounds for me. It reaches farther without relying on visceral sound and spinning, panting Sandra Bullock. Like most films with a heavy scientific tone, I am hesitant to say that anything in this film was accurate, then again the topic being on traveling through wormholes and black holes and fifth dimensions, it’s hard to say there was any science involved at all in the film. But that’s not why you should see this movie.
Often times I struggle when watching a movie as intricate as Interstellar. When a movie clocks in at nearly three hours, a lot of people question whether or not they even want to watch the movie. And as an avid movie goer, I sometimes even have to ask myself that question. But when it’s about a longer movie to finish the story telling correctly, versus a shorter movie that will leave you with empty plot holes, this movie chose to take the road less traveled.
However, the story, like some of Nolan’s previous projects, is convoluted, and sometimes overcomplicated. It’s never enough to push you on the edge of your seat, always giving you some indication that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but complicates the story to where you’re jumping around and barely able to make sense of what is going on.
Anne Hathaway makes a valiant effort as Dr. Brand and almost convinces me a few times, but something feels missing. Michael Cane, who I admit I might be a little sick of seeing play ‘old wise guy’ in a Nolan film, does well, but like I said, falls into the rut of typical old, wise guy. Casey Affleck has about two lines, but would have been more promising if we had seen a little more of him. Matt Damon character, as much as I was hoping would go a different way, went as expected for me, and neither wowed me with his dialogue nor with his character’s purpose.
I won’t say it’s a bad movie. It’s not. There were many moments when I felt the full gravitas of emotion Nolan was trying to convey, and it was brilliant. Nolan does a good job on space exploration, pseudo science, and family values, but it’s by no means Shakespeare. Maybe I have been disillusioned by darker pieces, but I stand by my review.
Final Thoughts: It is very, very typical Nolan. If you are a fan of his work, of his writing and direction, it’s something you have to watch. The inherent message of the film brings hope, but it can definitely get waterlogged by intellectual speak and long-winded scenes. Lovers of pseudo-sciencey sci-fi will also enjoy this, I think, as I am one of those people and it was definitely one of the draws back into the plot for me.