Interstellar
Interstellar is Christopher Nolan’s true magnum opus. An absolute titan of modern cinema, it completely redefines the space genre, and injects emotion and creative storytelling into an already stunning film.
Space is terrifying. A completely empty vacuum of nothingness, something many humans may never be able to wrap their head around. It is also probably one of the most beautiful and magnificent things a human could witness, even in pictures. These humungous balls of gas, ice and other elements just floating around, 100+ times bigger than our blue planet. Interstellar takes you on a journey you couldn’t even imagine was possible in fiction, through space and time, as the magnificent visuals paint the picture of the sheer magnitude of the universe.
The plot of this film is the last thing you’d expect from a modern space epic. Firstly, in the beginning (which for me is one of the most visually beautiful parts of the film) one story, that splits into two and (sort of) simultaneously happen together. It’s ingeniously contrasted, comparing the vast emptiness of space with the dust-soaked surfaces of a future Earth. But both are injected with such depth, and such weight, as they explore father-daughter relations, betrayal, science, and the attempt to discover prosperity within limited time. The film is obviously portrayed by Nolan’s signature fantastic cinematography, which further emphasises the landscapes of multiple worlds found on the adventures. But, apart from the visuals, the acting and music are what cause Interstellar to levitate above most films. Matthew McConaughey perfectly extended his incredible streak of the 2010s (often called the McConnaissance) with his breathtaking performance as Cooper, a cautious yet genius father who is motivated solely by the thought of giving hope to his kids, and later his secret devotion to Brand. Speaking of, Anne Hathaway gives possibly her best performance as the daughter of the lead scientist of the main operation of the film, as she is forced to encounter loss, betrayal and unfolded secrets, as well as the hardest thing in the world to some - forced independence. The music is what I consider to be Hans Zimmer’s best work. He really captures the vastness of the film in his beautiful yet tragic soundtrack, reminding us constantly of grief and hope.
Interstellar will likely be remembered as this generation’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. It’s an absolute landmark in cinema, breaking the boundaries of what was possible, and somehow further advancing scientific research. I feel a review doesn’t do it justice as much as watching it with the naked eye can do.