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Interstellar DVD Review

Christopher Nolan's films are a product in themselves. Incredible spectacles of pragmatic filmmaking that somehow lack heart.  Interstellar tries to break this mould but  Matthew McConaughey's protagonist does  little in the way of attracting empathy.He plays Cooper, a monologue driven, slack jawed astronaut cum crop farmer in the (not too distant) future who must leave his family behind for the sake of humanity. The problem here lies only in what Interstellar has been praised for, Its realistic approach to the science of wormhole theory. Nolans attempt at adding cinematic heart to a blockbuster of scientific reasoning doesn't entirely pan out. However, apart from the ill fitting riffs on love and familial responsibility, Interstellar is somewhat of  a masterpiece.

The films strongest merit isn't just its mathematical precision but its sense of epic wonder that encapsulates any great work of sci-fi literature. It is by this comparison that interstellar works as a more emotional film than any other way. Coopers everyman is a grounded character in the throes of a  panic stricken exploration mission where time and its relativity are a key component to his return.

The films high concept aesthetic is outstanding. From the interplanetary spacecraft ‘Endurance’ to its tableau A.I . Both the craft and its mechanical inhabitants are unlike any seen before and take some getting used too. Bill Irwin and Josh Stewart add humanising qualities to the ex marine robot presence  as TARS and CASE in their low key voice acting. The presence of Kip Thorne the astrophysicist  also lends itself to the ships savvy design and comprehensive mobility.

Unfortunately the majority of the supporting cast have a very difficult time being likeable or even interesting. Nolans regular sensei  Michael Caine was wasted in inception and his professor Brand  is nonsensical here. Anne Hathaways Brand Jr is the quintessential swat whose tiresome acts of selfishness never let her character become truly rounded. Jessica Chastain breathes life into the scenes set on earth and her performance excuses an overzealous Topher Grace and underused Casey Affleck.

Overall the visual spectacle aids greatly to the story's core rather than overshadowing it  to make Nolans best original film so far. The score is flawlessly executed once again by Hans Zimmer and is used to thunderous effect in pivotal scenes. Long time cinematographer Wally Pfister is replaced  by  Hoyte van Hoytema who has worked on both of Tomas Alfredson's films and transitions seamlessly here. The film deserves the attention it requires for full comprehension and is successful in its genre as groundbreaking.

 

 

Written by Rob Buckley 03/04/15