Engaging modern masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (4 June 2015)

I am well aware of comparisons to various films such as the obvious "2001: A space odyssey, Solaris, Gravity(in some respects)" but this picture is, in my opinion of such importance to the ongoing evolution of film that I would prefer to look at it based on its own merits. (other than a single reference below....) It has taken me a few months and more than a couple viewings of this film to form what I HOPE is a well rounded personal opinion. Upon my first viewing I must admit I had completely and wholeheartedly given into the hype, as much as I tried not to, I could not wait to see it, and fully expected to be let down. It did not disappoint but in many ways surprised me with its subtlety.
The start of this movie is very gentle in areas, setting out a family scene. Emotional entanglements which run throughout the film are deep, heart wrenching but at times heart warming. It becomes clear very quickly that this is not a film looking to mollycoddle the future, things are bleak, but in a personal way. The world is not what it once was, and we are running out of time. This film is not a crowd pleaser in the same way as many blockbuster superhero movies and the like are.
The imagery in this picture is literally out of this world, everything just looks so tangible, the techniques employed during production of this film though not ground breaking in some cases were definitely unique and I would direct any accusations of overuse of CGI etc to look a little deeper. I feel that the techniques used are blatantly obvious and give a feeling of realness which is so often absent from what is essentially a scifi flick. The interaction between actors and the outside world (while in space) is fantastic, the acting overall in my opinion is first class. I must mention however that Michael Caine's performance was a little forgetful, though perhaps that was down to his character and my thoughts on him being one of the greats.
A Nolanite? I certainly am not, however I do think he is a massively talented person. The soundtrack is still a bit(cure all Hans Zimmerish) in that it couldn't have come from anyone else, but does enough to separate itself from previous outings (Inception,TDK etc.) and is, in a word, Sublime. A tad over emotional but it helps you connect with the characters and the unfolding story. When paired with Hans Zimmer, their success might get a bit repetitive but since when is that a bad thing. They are both successful for a reason, because when paired, or alone, they deliver.
I do understand that to some people this really just isn't their bag, and I applaud them for this. However I must say that I don't entirely understand some of the criticism this film received regarding, specifically, its science. Yes some of it goes against common sense, but history has put paid to a lot of things which once made no sense and are now commonplace. Yes there are oversights, such as the massive wave which doesn't suck the water which precedes it, (like a tsunami) and the underdevelopment of Coopers Son's character, but with regard the bigger ideas, at the end of the day this is a film heavily based on theoretical physics which has had a lot of work by various people far smarter than I, to establish our best guesstimate at what all of those theories would look and feel like if we were to interact with them. Its still a film, this is not a documentary, though it bases itself heavily on well thought out theories, I don't see anything wrong with taking some artistic license. I don't suspect a ship entering a black hole would stay intact but I am quite glad that the film didn't end there. I realise it may annoy some people to say this but with respect, is it really being suggested that what is an all time classic "2001: A space odyssey" is more deeply rooted in science than Interstellar?
I guess what I don't get, is how we can rubbish a film based on theory when the very nature of theory is that we aren't really sure to begin with. However even if it all turned out to be a load of junk, I still love this film for its marriage of Theoretical science and what I very personally see as art. I do think that Christopher Nolan is in some ways challenging us as humans, there are things we don't understand and furthermore concepts which are hinted at, which even the smartest of us simply cant really comprehend. The soul of this film for me is to be found in accepting there are things we don't know and allowing the concepts, emotions and visuals which we do understand, to come all at once and enjoy, remember and learn from the experience.
This film poses some uncomfortable questions as regards where we are heading, it cant be looked past that the possibilities of natural disasters occurring goes up minute by minute. The resilience of human nature, our capacity to love and always at least attempt to overcome is showcased here within a mix for theoretical science and amazing imagery/writing delivered by top class actors, yes there are mistakes and holes but there is so much that is overwhelmingly brilliant that I simply do no care.. Overall, I must say, this is just about the best film I have ever seen. Definitely not my favourite Nolan film, but as a technical/artistic achievement, it will take some beating.