Interstellar
released 2014

”Interstellar” is an American science fiction, drama directed by Christopher Nolan and produced by Christopher Nolan, Lynda Obst and Emma Thomas. It was written by both Jonathan and Christopher Nolan and the music is by Hans Zimmer. (Keep in mind that this is the same Christopher Nolan that brought us “Inception”, “The Dark Night” and “The Dark Night Rises”). “Interstellar” stars the talented cast of Matthew McConaughey, Matt Damon, Wes Bentley, David Gyasi, John Lithgow, Casey Affleck, Christopher John “Topher” Grace, Willian Devane, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Bill Irwin, Jessica Chastain, Elyes Gabel and Ellen Burstyn. Theoretical physicist Kip Thorne consulted on the film since the story deals with space travel, wormholes and the different pockets of time that result from both. The producers of “Intestellar” have already won the American Film Institute Award´s film of the year. Hans Zimmer has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score. It has also been nominated for Satellite Awards in Best Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects.

This is a beautiful film with a wonderful story that will move you and have you thinking. For those who are confused by the time differences in the film, don´t be. Just focus on Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey and you´ll enjoy a wonderful film. For those that feel the uncontrollable impulse to make sense of the time differences in the movie due to space travel and wormholes, but can´t. Don´t panic! You don´t need mathematical formulas, although that explains it very well too. A simple way to understand time in this film is to think of it like regions on a map. When you leave one region and enter another you are entering another time region or field. The same way you have a relief map of the different altitudes there exists different time regions. Here´s the rub, there are several ways to pass through time regions. These ways include gravity fields, high speeds, manipulating electro-magnetic fields or even powerful energy discharges, to name a few. Basically time and distance have similar characteristics so you can understand one by comparing it with characteristics from the other. So don´t let a little sci-fi keep you from enjoying a great movie.

The story takes place in the not-too-distant future where humanity is facing severe environmental, health and demographic problems. These problems are so bad that they threaten the very existence of all humanity. In the beginning of the film you get the feel that humanity is winding down toward extinction and living off false hope. One by one large crops are dying to the “blight” and constant dust storm make farming and life harder and harder. A desperate humanity is forcing more and more people into farming and less people into problem solving careers like engineering. It is only toward the end of the film we realize just how close humanity came to extinction. (I don´t want to give away any spoilers but you can always ask me about it personally.)

The main character´s name is Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey, and he is a brilliant engineer who was forced into farming and holds a grudge against a society that wouldn´t save his wife from a treatable medical condition. The story develops and Cooper agrees to go on a mission that could save his children and humanity from extinction. What a beautiful, action-packed voyage he goes on too.

Another thing I´d like to add is that this story is inspired from a Western literary classic. I´ve heard many great writers talk about using the templates of classics to progress their manuscripts. There is no shame in that. It´s standard. “Interstellar” is basically the retelling of Homer´s “Odyssey”, with a modern twist and that just makes the story more relatable and even better.

This movie has so many of the elements that make a great film, much less a great sci-fi film. It has beautiful world building, a fantastic story and great characters with depth and sincere motivations. Cooper is the talented and flawed hero who is going on a quest for all the right reasons. This is a little like the story of the Odyssey, where Cooper is Odysseus looking for a way home. Christopher Nolan and his team have made a science fiction masterpiece with “Interstellar”. This film is definitely worth seeing and owning and should have appeal to a wide audience.

It´s a movie for ages young adult and up. I highly recommend “Interstellar” for audiences from young adults on up.

(Commentary by www.ink2quill.com )
Ink2Quill

I2Q Blogs / The Visual Medium Anne Hathaway / Christopher Nolan / Hans Zimmer / Interstellar / Matthew McConaughey / Michael Cain / Topher Grace /