Interstellar

The first third of the film is spent on Earth, establishing the desperation of humankind as the last remnants of our species cling onto the traditions and habits of normal life after a blight wiped out most of Earth’s crops. Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), once a NASA pilot who now farms corn, is devoted to his children, especially his intelligent but stubborn daughter Murph (Mackenzie Foy/Jessica Chastain). When he is given the opportunity by Dr. Brand (Michael Cane) to return to the job he loved and travel to three other planets in the hope of finding a new home for mankind Cooper must leave his family behind, to the devastation of Murph.

Christopher Nolan brilliantly deploys cinema’s ability to cut backwards and forwards in time to create a poignant, emotional and powerful narrative about paternal and filial love, whilst also delivering some spectacular science-fiction. The thrilling exploration of glorious icy alien landscapes accompanied by Hans Zimmer’s portentous and eerie soundtrack give weight to the beautiful moments of silence as we are confronted with the lonely reality of outer space.

As we see Cooper’s intense remorse at abandoning his family Interstellar develops as a plea for forgiveness for mankind’s follies. In parallel to this, humanity’s ambition and our bitter resistance to our own extinction is explored as the possibility of a benevolent alien race sending encrypted advice across the universe plants a seed of hope. However, despite our lust for adventure and exploration we are reminded that it is the human desire for comfort and home, the purpose of the whole venture, that we need and value most.

The title of Christopher Nolan’s latest cinematic endeavour says it all; Interstellar is an immersive and time-bending space epic that redefines the age-old traditions of science fiction. Whether you are a die hard ‘Nolanoid’ or a regular film lover, this awe-inspiring picture doesn't implode under the weight of expectation. Instead you will find a bold, beautiful cosmic adventure that has a touch of the surreal and the dreamlike, yet always feels grounded in its own deadly serious reality.

In the near future, mankind is on its last legs with the Earth slowly succumbing to famine and ruin. Facing extinction, the remnants of NASA, commanded by Dr Brand (Michael Caine), sends their best pilot, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) and his crew, including Brand’s daughter, Amelia (Anne Hathaway) through a wormhole and into the furthest corner of the cosmos, in search of a new home. Cooper and the crew of the Endurance must go further than any human in history and overcome time itself to save the loved ones left behind.

The true strength of Interstellar is its blend of the hard-hitting impact of realistic science with the humanistic themes of family and isolation. Matthew McConaughey is outstanding as Cooper, bringing a well-placed sense of earthy grit and family-man vulnerability to the role. Tying the film together is an array of outstanding practical visual effects and tremendous action set pieces, all accompanied by a richly imagined operatic score by Hans Zimmer. Nolan has truly reached for the stars in spectacular fashion with Interstellar; a grand yet mesmerising sci-fi epic with a real human touch.

Liam Johnston