Rating of
2.5/4
Vastly impressive, but overlong and flaw-filled
Jonathan - wrote on 11/16/14
Interstellar is a film that has the ambitious vision to be one of the monumental films, making a unique mark on cinema, but which falls just short of that, and remains merely an excellent movie. When you aim that high, as Nolan has a habit of doing, you sometimes fall short.
What this film has going for it is mind-boggling visuals, and high-concept inspiration that will be a cause for conversation and contemplation for weeks. In also carries with it a hefty amount of emotional depth, which is largely a new aspect for Nolan to explore. It is ironic, but no doubt intentional that Nolan's film exploring the distant reaches of space is his first to really explore the inner workings of human feeling.
But While Interstellar's strengths are vast and undeniable, it's weaknesses are equally unavoidable, and some of them stand out awkwardly to any attentive viewer. Certain plot devices are contrived and unnecessary, or even illogical (a word I never thought I would ascribe to Nolan). Some of the dialogue is compromised by the need to explain what's going on. The flow of some conversations becomes mechanical.
This is an unmissable film for any science fiction fan, and is an astounding experience in Imax. For the casual film goer, however, it's near 3-hour run time and tedious scientific concepts may become tiresome. I immensely enjoyed this film, but it is not for everyone.
