Alright but a tad too fluffy!

Rating: 7/10 (8 November 2014)

I will try hard to NOT include any spoilers but checked the box in case I let something inadvertently slip.
First off, I am a science fiction addict. Have been since I was 7 years old and I am now 62. I liked science so much I became a scientist! As it turned out, science is not quite the magical, mystical world I had envisioned during my childhood but it is a whole lot of fun. I have found biochemistry, physics, pharmacology and computer science to be very satisfying fields of study. I am also a believer in God (or whatever else you might wish to call Him/Her) because, without God, biochemistry, pharmacology and physics don't make much sense. And yes, I try to stay cutting edge WRT video, audio, flying (drones) and technology in general. I say all this so you will get an idea of where I am coming from...
This film's trailers enticed me since I immediately thought "Contact" meets "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" with a homespun, "Good Old Boy" philosophy, brought on by Matthew McConaughey in the lead role. In fact, they do talk about the "The Hitchhiker's Guide" a couple of times in the movie! Though there is some, albeit odd and over- burdening to my suspension of disbelief, "science," if you will, it is mostly based on buzzwords and inconsequential pop-culture philosophies about space and time. And there are a few times/scenes where this is taken to extremes and it turns out to be just silly.
Overall, the acting is good. As expected, McConaughey is McConaughey; always good for some laughs and some minor introspection, but for the most part, just the cool guy next door, if you live in Texas. Anne Hathaway is also good as his copilot. As usual, Jessica Chastain is a great actress and gorgeous to boot! Gotta love JC! Outshining everyone in the cast however, is newcomer (at least to me) 14 yo Mackenzie Foy, who plays MM's 10 yo daughter, Murphy. She is cute, terribly intelligent and street smart. And to a certain degree MMs favorite kid. She is very engaging as a brilliant little girl and also as an old soul (which can mean many things in a time/space warping movie ;-) )
The bottom line for me: Interstellar is an entertaining movie with with an accomplished cast and an engaging, if somewhat unbelievable and, at times,cheesy, plot. It is also about 40 minutes too long. I liked it in the theater and will likely watch the DVD when it's available! I do not hesitate to recommend Interstellar to families (kids 13+ yo) or as a good date night film.
As always, just my opinion, YMMV ;-)