Interstellar: Movie Review

It is not often that we go out to see a movie in a theater. Usually, on our budget, we must wait a year or so for it to be released to DVD. However, for a treat once or twice a year, we’ll take in a real movie experience at the local bargain movie house.

This time, we went and saw a recently-released movie, “Interstellar,” that has been rather heavily promoted in TV ads. Based upon that, I wasn’t sure it would be a good movie, as usually the rate of advertising is in inverse proportion to the quality of the movie.

I was pleasantly surprised. As is my custom, I will not include any spoilers as to how the movie ends, or give away any more of the plot than is seen in the televised trailers. Please note that any comments including such spoilers will be denied.

As today’s movies go, this is a long one. There is a good mix of slow scenes and fast-paced edge-of-your-seat scenes. But there is really no part you want to miss, as it all ties in together in the end.

The entire movie runs nearly three hours! So my main suggestion is this: don’t get a large drink--you don’t want to have to miss part of the action to visit the restroom!

The genre is Science Fiction, and is well done, in this writer’s opinion.

The movie follows a particular family through their struggles with a changing earth. The widowed father and his two children share the main character roles with those of the agency responsible for the featured project.

As seen in the trailer, the Earth is becoming unable to support life, and an effort must be made to save civilization by finding another planet. Therein lies the rest of the plot action.

Matthew McConaughey does an admirable and believable job of portraying the father torn between duty and family; Mackenzie Foy, as the daughter, does an equally professional job of portraying full-blown pre-teen angst about her father's decision.

The adventures out in space follow a rather predictable course of action, close calls, personality clashes, near disasters, and amazing recoveries. In that sense, it is somewhat formulaic. But there are twists and turns aplenty, and things you just don't see coming.

The movie deserves kudos for crediting girls with intelligence, and gives the role of the brilliant mind to the daughter.

Released in its California premiere on October 26, 2014, it is still a relatively new film. This is a multi-corporation collaboration between Paramount Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Linda Obst Productions, Syncopy, and Warner Brothers. It is amazing that it takes so much from so many to make a good movie these days!

Written by Johnathan and Christopher Nolan. Directed by Christopher Nolan.

Jordan Goldberg, Jake Myers, Kip Thorne, and Thomas Tull all share executive producer credits.

Music is by Hans Zimmer.

Some big names are featured in this movie; and some less familiar. All did an admirable job.

A partial listing appears below: