MOVIE CRITIQUE PAPER: INTERSTELLAR

Abarquez, P.J

In 2014, Christopher Nolan's epic science-fiction odyssey Interstellar exploded into

theaters with the kind of gravitas associated with only a handful of its genre predecessors. It was

Nolan's first movie after finishing direction on the Dark Knight trilogy, and the acclaimed

director pulled out all the stops (literally, in the case of composer Hans Zimmer) to bring

audiences a gripping, strongly-acted, well-written thrill ride of scientifically-accurate space

exploration.

Interstellar opens in America’s farm belt at an unspecified time in the future. Earth’s food

supply is running low due to overpopulation and the blight that it killing crops and creating

massive dust storms putting Earth in doom. Former NASA engineer and test pilot Cooper owns

acres of corn that he manages along with his family: son Tom, daughter Murph, and

father-in-law Donald. Due to an almost supernatural way, Cooper finds himself in a secret

location with his former employer: an underground NASA facility devoted to saving the human

race. Led by Professor Brand, NASA has developed two plans. The first involves creating a

massive space vehicle to transport as many humans as possible into outer space. The second

involves using frozen embryos to colonize a distant world. However, there is a problem with

Plan A - overcoming gravity. However, Brand is certain that he can solve the gravitational

equation that will make plan A work.

Cooper learns that a wormhole has appeared in space near Saturn, presumably placed by

creatures of higher intelligence. Ten years ago, astronauts were sent through to scout the dozen

potentially habitable planets on the other side. Now another craft must make the journey to
determine humankind's final destination. Mindful that his children's future is at stake, Cooper

agrees to pilot the craft. He is accompanied by a small crew of four: Brand's daughter, Amelia ;

scientists Doyle and Romilly ; and the sardonic robot TARS. Murph becomes resentful of her

father’s decision, carrying this anger into adulthood when she becomes Brand’s second-in-hand

working for the same entity that took her father away from her.

The movie continued and established a dire scenario for the survivors in Earth showing

their everyday struggles caused by the worsening Blight. However, the most important detail in

this part is the establishment of the closeness of Cooper and Murph’s relationship and the

mysterious ghost who will play on the borderline throughout the movie was introduced. In the

end, Cooper must embrace the philosophy that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the

few. He promises to Murph that he will return, knowing he may not be able to keep that promise.

Once in space, the white knuckle moments begin. Limiting the use of CGI, Nolan relies

on practical effects to craft a movie that feels more like a real journey than a video game. There

are some tremendous action set pieces and the narrative is wonderfully unpredictable. The movie

takes some chances with its endgame, which resolves a lot of plot points but at times seems

rushed. Interstellar is at its most complex during its final 20 minutes and even those who pay rapt

attention may leave the theater with some unanswered questions.

Visually, Interstellar is a work of art. Nolan fully understands the aspects of special

effects technology so he was able to utilize them to their best. It treats us to breathtaking space

landscapes, from a supernatural massive ocean wave to a frozen planet. The remarkable

production visuals are excellent throughout. As far as the sound goes, Hans Zimmer was able to
deliver an operatic score that adds to the overall experience. However, multiple sound elements

are sometimes mixed together occasionally drowning out dialogue.

Interstellar is science fiction. It is not space opera nor futuristic fantasy. It is an accurate

representation of the coined term “science fiction”. It presents the reality of the future in which

space travel, although possible, is risky and unpredictable. Starships aren’t zipping from one

dimension to another. Space crafts aren’t firing lasers to each other. In this film, long-distance

travel uses the dangerous and uncertain process of entering a wormhole. The concept of time

dilation comes into effect due to the black hole. The relationship between quantum mechanics

and relativity is even tackled. Interstellar isn’t like Star Wars or Star Trek and anyone who

watches this film with such expectations will surely be disappointed. Interstellar is a movie that

acknowledges science rather than ignoring reality as we understand them.

With a science fiction film as complicated and elaborate as Interstellar, there are bound to

be moviegoers who will find it exhilarating, confusing, and perplexing rather than satisfying.

Interstellar put in effort to be as scientifically accurate as possible, even at the risk of confusing

its audience making this film a definitely worth watching one. It offers much more than visuals

to applaud. Interstellar is realistically cynical about political and educational preparedness for the

future, doesn’t soften ethical dilemmas in saving humanity and suggests climate solutions will

owe everything to scientific imagination and initiative.