An experience like no other, it has to be seen to be believed

Rating: 7/10 (5 December 2014)

CAUTION, SPOILERS AHEAD!
In Rian Johnson's time travel caper, 'Looper', Old Joe says to Young Joe, "I don't wanna talk about time travel s***. Cause if we start talking about it, then we're gonna be here all day talking about it, making diagrams with straws". This certainly applies to Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster, 'Interstellar'. In fact, instead of wasting time and brain power trying to work out how Matthew McConaughey can possibly communicate with his future-past daughter through Morse code derived from a watches' hands, via plucking bands of color, while trapped in another dimension – or any of the thousands of baffling thoughts that inevitably come with the time travel paradox (or in this case, inter-dimensional travel), I'm just going to go right ahead and skip that aspect of the film in this review, sparing my poor head, and perhaps yours.
Instead, I want to focus on Interstellar's biggest strength: the experience as a whole. Shot on 70mm IMAX film stock, the film is just flat out stunning. Shots are larger than life, every pore on the actors' faces can be seen, the slight grain and color timing of the print give a warmth to the cold film – something which Nolan's films generally lack. Coupled with Nolan's insistence on using practical effects over computer-generated imagery and Hans Zimmer's intense scoring reminiscent of Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey', helps create a simply breathtaking, visceral experience. The visual effects are on par with some of the greatest I've ever seen on film. Not once was I taken out of the film; I was grounded in it, everything looked and felt real. Director's need to take note: practical effects with dabs of CGI here and there when necessary look amazing, or in other words, stop relying on CGI.
Clocking in at just under 180 minutes, potential viewers might find the lengthy film daunting; however, the film is surprisingly well paced, it doesn't plod or meander. I didn't find myself checking my watch or cellphone at any point hoping for it to end. And I couldn't imagine trimming it any further, in fact I hope there is an extended cut in the future to extend a few scenes in space to allow the viewer to take in just that little it more of the extraordinary view.
Nolan casts a few of his usual bunch in supporting roles such as Anne Hathaway and Michael Caine (pronounced as 'My Cocaine'), none of whom elevate above or beyond the material. They just are. Though Hathaway was especially bland, I felt nothing for her – which wasn't the best, as I'm sure Nolan wanted us to. She struggles to sink her teeth into (and perhaps make sense of) a few of the lines, while Michael Caine pulls a Morgan Freeman and plays his tired old self. It is Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Chastain who steal the show, and I should note that Chastain is fast becoming one of the greatest working actresses today, while McConaughey proves 'The Mcconaissance' is still in full throttle, alright, alright, alright?
My only issue with the film lies with Michael Caine's sudden death after revealing the realities of the mission to Chastain. I sat there during his final speech thinking 'please don't die, please don't die', but he did, and my eyes couldn't help but to roll back and view the dark recess at the back of my head. Perhaps the extent of the suspension of belief required for viewing is another niggle, but that is ever so slight. The science behind the film made sense when considering the plot, but when you start to pick it apart cracks begin to show and it almost comes undone, but I feel that it's easy to let go of this factor and just enjoy the film for what it is, a stunning and spectacular experience.
Though not without fault, the sheer scope and ambition of the film should be applauded. It needs to be seen to be believed. Admittedly, I've never been a fan of Nolan's films, but he has knocked it out of the park with this one and almost converted me. The question cinema- goers are asking these days is, 'do I have to see this in the cinemas?' and the answer is yes, you do. Even if you have a shiny new curved television with all the bells and whistles, the experience would not be as grand. This is worth the trip.
A solid 8/10
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