Updated Space Odyssey is the best space sci-fi of the new century so far

Rating: 7/10 (8 August 2017)

As of 2017, "Interstellar" is the best sci-fi space film of the 21st century. It was nearly 50 years since the first major film involving time travel and crossing dimensions in space. I wondered when someone would again pick up on the idea presented in the 1968 blockbuster, "2001: A Space Odyssey." "Interstellar" has that and more.
It holds one's interest, even though the premise for the dying, over- populated earth was outmoded by the early 21st century. Low birth rates in all of the developed countries are projected to lead to population declines. Deaths will outpace births in most countries well before the mid-21st century.
This is a departure from the more common alien creatures of sci-fi films. I do enjoy those type of films more. They are no more far- fetched than the notions of traveling back or forward in time. This film does a good job of trying to put credence to many theories. But, the film's "science" about time dilation, quantum gravity and wormholes is probably over the heads of 99.99 percent of viewers.
One of the nice things about sci-fi is that it doesn't have to make sense. Aspects can be outlandish, bizarre and inconceivable. After all, that's what makes it fictional in the realm of science.
The cast in this film all give good performances. The space scenes are very good as are all technical aspects and production values of the movie. I don't rate it any higher than seven because it doesn't provide the excitement or edge of seat anxiety that other sci-fi films provide. One should never take these films, or their plots too seriously. They are entertaining fiction, period.