'Interstellar' takes you on a fascinating journey

Thu, Nov 13th 2014, 11:20 PM

Interstellar (Rated T)
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain
Genre: Science Fiction
Dwight's Rating: 3

Get a good night's sleep! Have adequate snacks, stay caffeinated, and don't even think about consuming alcohol! Make sure you've used the restroom; avoid getting the large beverage if you have a weak bladder. Put that smartphone in airplane mode (or better yet, don't even bring it). And don't forget your eyeglasses, comfortable shoes, sweater/jacket -- what ever you need to settle in. It's gonna be a long ride!
All-important words of advice for those who intend to watch "Interstellar", a new film that requires the utmost attention and focus, with as few distractions as possible. In fact, don't go with that chatty or "slow" friend who always seems to miss every important line, and asks a bunch of questions. You can't risk being absent for even a brief moment.
There is a lot going on in the film: Earth is slowly dying and becoming increasingly inhospitable for humans. As such, a team of explorers undertakes a mission to save mankind. They travel beyond this galaxy to discover whether there are other planets that might be able to sustain life as we know it.
On the surface, "Interstellar" is reminiscent of many recent movies, most notably "Signs". But this is truly it's own unique animal. Director Christopher Nolan doesn't shy away from complex, emotionally jarring projects; "The Dark Knight" is amazing but hard to watch. I still get a headache every time I even think about "Inception".
Here, Nolan and his co-writer -- his brother Jonathan -- craft an elaborate tale that is the very definition of "epic" -- taking place over many years on many different planets!
Yes, it is quite long (169 minutes!), and often snail-paced. There are some questionably extraneous elements, and one can easily argue that at least about an hour could have been shaved down. But even some of the slower-moving scenes are more than likely essential to the story, even if they don't seem so initially.
In the end, things kinda make sense ... sort of, and you kinda understand how we got to where we get. But somewhere in the middle things really get pretty hazy and a bit crazy.
Never mind that though, the journey is still fascinating. What's most amazing is that we're asked to wrap our minds around some of science's most fantastic theories. We look at relativity and time travel in new and exciting ways. And it's handled in ways that even non-science geeks may be intrigued.
But "Interstellar" is also a feast for the senses -- visually spectacular, with astounding sound effects, and a dramatic and stirring musical score that further enhances the many thrilling, edge-of-your-seat moments.
There are also decent performances all around from the exceptionally talented and award-laden cast. With recent Oscar winners Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, and past winners Matt Damon, Michael Caine and Ellen Burstyn, and Oscar-bound Jessica Chastain.
While it may not necessarily live up to all of its hype, "Interstellar" is an exuberant sci-fi thriller. Like many films of this genre, it may need to be watched more than once to be truly appreciated and truly understood. I felt the same way about "Inception".
But unlike with that film, I actually won't mind seeing "Interstellar" again. In fact, I think I need to watch it again, at least once more -- possibly in an isolation chamber. And I probably need to take notes.

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