Christopher Nolan did it again.
First, he told us about a new script. Then, he created an Area
51-like-atmosphere around it. After that, he released a Teaser Trailer that
blew, at least me, away. I knew this movie would be something special just like
"Inception" or “The Prestige”. "Inception" was
mind-bending. “The Prestige” was magically sure-real. "Interstellar",
though, is mind-expanding. Mr. Nolan didn't disappoint again regardless whether
you liked it, didn't like it, or got completely lost in it.
"Interstellar" was, is, and will-be a
five dimensional curiosity story-telling at its best. You will experience
Kafkaesque, philosophical, sociological, psychological, and physically
challenging elements. As well, you will see advanced astrophysical elements,
which are mostly based on theoretical physics (i.e. black hole conundrum) and
future-esque technology which will be developed before this century is out
(i.e. self-sustaining space-station).
These elements were all present and portrayed by the actors, director,
cinematographer, and others as very real-like though the space scenes were,
highly likely, filmed in a studio.
To enjoy this movie, you must take your disbelief, mistrust, doubts, and rolling of eyes and leave them at home.
Instead, you should have an open mind and heart to understand the art of this
movie. I would give big three Hurrahs to Nolan brothers and the rest of his
team for capturing something that is hard to describe in lay-men terms. You
must see it to believe it. The movie will stretch your mind like it was never
stretched before, if you just let go and enjoy the ride without losing your
head half way through toward the finish line. Last time my mind was stretch to
this level was the original Star Wars. It will capture your imagination and
expand your curiosity level if you let it. Otherwise, stay home. For example, I
believe one viewer, who sat in front of me, got lost because 20 minutes before
The End, he walked out of the movie theater. That was a shame. He will not know
what this movie could do for his intellect. Then, what was the point for
him to come and pay $15 for it?
After watching it, I decided to read more
scientifically-based science fiction books like those of Asimov, Bradbury,
Arthur C. Clark, etc. Plus, I decided to read more about space exploration and
human survival on this planet and beyond.
That is how my mind was stretched. I wonder how it will be for you?
One shouldn't compare it to
other somewhat similar movies, but “Interstellar” imbues the atmosphere of Christopher Nolan’s other movies. I enjoyed his choices of capturing the struggles of our
heroes. Plus, he took away music and
sound in space-scenes because in space no one will hear screams, or ships breaking
apart, or explosions, or firing-up rocket engines. Only each characters level
of comfort will be evident and their relationships with each other, with the
spaceship, with robots, with different planets, and with space itself. After
all, Christopher Nolan captured the elements and character of Cosmos. However,
not all of the elements were great.
First, it was interesting to
watch, in the beginning, interviews of people who survived the Dust Bowl. Of
course those interviews shown in the movie were, I believe, of actual people
who survived that horrific episode of American Mid-West history in 1930s. Its
usage was clear toward the end of the movie, but was it really necessary?
Second, the idea that someone
sent coordinates and opened a warm-hole was well written and did not create an
illusion that humans did those things. After all, why shouldn't we believe in
this? Maybe there is a life out there who wants us to survive even if we don’t
want to survive ourselves. And this particular element as well as main
character’s journey through (SPOILER ALERT!) the black hole reminded me of the
Russian version of “Solaris” and a story and movie written by Strugatsky
brothers. In both, alien entities had a direct yet subtle influence on
characters identity and understanding of what was happening to them; both also
had great acting and mind-bending finales.
Furthermore, the actors and
writers showed us what we believe makes us human, how we screw up decisions,
and treat each other without trust due to fear and lack of a deeper purpose in
life or a particular mission. Instead, we are too concerned over our own
selfish needs and desires because it is in our DNA. We are not programmed to think
and feel beyond that regardless of our education level. Should we trust our
heads or hearts more? Or both?
For every person, this movie
will show similar yet different points of view that were created via our DNA
and our unique experiences. However, it cannot be any other way unless we learn
to look at ourselves, our thoughts, and our actions from outside of ourselves
in the moment of fight or flight situation and not when we are at “peace”. After all, we barely think in two dimensional
levels, if not just one. For this movie, we have to think in dimensions that
are beyond what is believable and true.
In fact, this movie, in a way,
tells us that we are not ready yet for space exploration, or to have human
habitats either on Moon and/or Mars or elsewhere. We are just not ready on the
levels that “Interstellar” tried to show us because in Space, one-dimensional
thinking is not enough. Sometimes, physics and human behavior need to be bent
and transformed. Knowledge and education is not enough though they are a good
start. We have to think and believe on the levels that we don't want to. We
need to stop hiding in different forms of entertainment and sports.
The movie essentially is an
entertainment. Many aspects are far-fetched, and some are those that could
happen similarly as what is portrayed in the movie when traversing the unknown
paths of Cosmos in our reality. It is a
moral of where our humanity can lead us and what our humanity can make of us
either on Earth or in some other distant galaxy. In the end, we have to be
mindful of our analytic part of the brain, but also be mindful of ourselves
and how we are connected to our heart and intuition.
So, what will Mr. Nolan come up
with next?
More related articles:
Great article: A bit negative
but a very good analysis from a screenwriting point of view:
Storytelling Strategies: Tension, Release and ‘Interstellar’ -
Learn more about Christopher Nolan’s past
and his thoughts on “Interstellar”
Christopher
Nolan on 'Interstellar' Critics, Making Original Films and Shunning Cell Phones
and Email (Q&A), http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/christopher-nolan-interstellar-critics-making-760897?facebook_20150103
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