What the Hell is Going On?

Rating: 6/10 (1 October 2015)

"Interstellar" is this generation's answer to Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968). As with the earlier film, "Interstellar" requires the viewer to have his/her thinking cap on.
The storyline has to do with the earth slowly dying and unable to produce the food it needs to survive due to harsh climatic changes. Under the veil of secrecy, a team of astronauts is sent off into space to go through a "black hole" in space to seek out new worlds on which earthlings can survive and prosper. The film boasts a large cast and an extensive running time.
I'm not the smartest guy in the world but I had a hard time trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Firstly, I had a hard time understanding what star Matthew McConaughy, who speaks in a low mumbly tone, was saying. Secondly I couldn't figure out what Anne Hathaway's character was doing on the mission except to look pretty. She is supposed to be the daughter of top scientist (Michael Caine) and just is not convincing to me. And it's not explained how McConaughy's character is firstly a farmer and secondly a world famous astronaut. And I'm still trying to figure out what Matt Damon's character was doing, why he was where he was and why he tries to eliminate Coopper (McConaughy). Then Cooper ends up back in an alternate universe where he's peeking through a bookcase in his daughter;s bedroom where he sees events from the past as he tries to communicate with his daughter "Murph" played by Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Fot and Ellen Bustyn at various stages of her life. As in "2001", I became totally confused.
Anyway, I have to give the film high marks for it's technical achievements. The special effects are among the best that I have seen. Director Christopher Nolan keeps the story moving along even though he couldn't seem to get McConasughy to speak up.
Michael Caine as always gives an excellent performance as the head scientists. At 80 plus he can still act circles around most of the cast. John Lithgow is totally wasted as McConaughy's father as is Anne Hathaway as the token female lead.
"Interstellar" is certainly worth a look if not for for it's special effects then for it's storyline, but if you want to understand what McConayughy is saying, turn on the close captioning if watching on TV.