Plastic Heroes and A Kernal of Truth

Rating: 7/10 (20 April 2015)

It's an old story retold. Humanity is in need of a Savior, so one of our own rises to the challenge leaving home and hearth to face the great unknown. In the tradition of Ulysses, Coop, ventures into space, ultimately to become a new Adam. On one level this is a fun ride across the universe. On another, it is the North American dream all over again. Conquer, control and consume land and resources to the point of exhaustion and then move on. Environmentalists won't find much comfort here. Neither will farmers appreciate the message. Vocationally, they are required, but undervalued. Mere managers, the true heroes are like biblical Cain, wanderers intent on building a name for themselves. The other tired conviction re-spun is how education is still, somehow, the answer. The Nolan's lead us into temptation with the seemingly Divine "they," who are ultimately revealed as an evolved "us." A leap of faith larger than any religion has ever posited, but sci-fi writers are keen to offer it as a distraction to the problems at hand. Admittedly, Matthew McConaughey's character seems to know other things will remain the same. The evil "out there" will be "the evil we bring to it." Liar Dr. Brandt and the slightly deranged Dr. Mann proves his point. However, to be fair, they do get one thing right: love does transcend time and space. It is the point of existence and reason for getting up in the morning or for crossing the galaxy for that matter. With that underlying message, who wouldn't enjoy the ride?