This criticism was in fact rather bizarre considering that most other major movies being made today are actually based on comic books. Christopher Nolan took time to develop an intelligent story and had his brother, Jonathon, on the project working the script. The Nolans went so far as to reach out to several physicists including Kip Thorne. Interestingly, this Fall seems to be the season for Black Holes given the recent release of the Stephen Hawking biopic, "The Theory of Everything."
Suffice it to say, a lot of thought went into this movie, and not just thoughts about how to create the next funky visual effect or thoughts on viral marketing. This movie is in a sense the true heir to the 2001 Legacy (which didn't quite play out as expected with 2010 - although fun fact - John Lithgow was in that movie and this one).
The criticism leveled at the movie called it preposterous and attacked the science. It also attacked the philosophical stand within the science presented, which is even more disappointing. Physicists have some humanity too - although to combine the two topics seems to be taboo for many critics who perhaps understand neither too well.
One thing is certain, great movies provoke strong feelings - often times those feelings are negative. There are parts of the science presented in Interstellar that I don't fully agree with, yet that in no way diminishes the experience of the movie or its greatness - this is a film that will stand the test of time.
I for one, will demonstrate my support for Interstellar by going to see it in the theater (in IMAX) again. Here are ten reasons why:
- Because, as stated, this film is a classic and seeing it while it is still in theaters helps to demonstrate my support for more intelligent films. I'm sick of all the comic book crap lowering the general IQ - this movie proves that intelligent cinema can be entertaining and successful.
- Because the night I went, the movie sold out and I had to sit in the front two rows. Seeing Matthew McConaughey's ten foot nose for two hours took a little something away from the experience and a return trip with the proper aspect ratio would be nice.
- Because it is great seeing Matt Damon as a bad guy (can't get enough of it).
- Because I need to learn that gravity watch manipulation trick.
- Because this is the first of dozens of wormhole movies and TV shows that actually considers what a wormhole might be like (as opposed to just driving through it).
- Because the smart-talking robot is the most interesting AI on screen since HAL - and the retro aspects are a nice touch.
- Because Interstellar shows that even with the planet dying, NASA is poised to save us (as long as we don't cut all their budget).
- Because being stuck on a deserted planet with Anna Hathaway might not be so bad.
- Because time isn't always on our side, but sometimes it works out pretty well.
- Because I'm hoping Nolan will make more movies like Memento, Inception and Interstellar and never sell out to the comic book mafia again.
copyright 2014, Stephen Lahanas
