Contact 2: Rediscovering the Wormhole

Rating: 7/10 (7 November 2014)

Back in 1997 "Contact" made waves around world with its striking special effects, all star cast and the promise of an exciting adventure. It delivered on everything except when we got near the end. We'll never forget who ended up being on that alien planet, but it was something we didn't want to see. Flash forward 17 years and now we have "Interstellar" with a similar plot outline and a familiar cast (Matthew McConaughey returns). However at 3 hours you'd better have an air tight plot with some comedic tension relievers and strong characters. Interstellar delivers with the character performances but let's look at the rest of the film.
For a movie that revolves around the theory of relativity it would have been nice if that theme had been carried into the editing room. The movie is told in a linear fashion which traipse along at a laborious two hours before anything remotely interesting begins to happen. The first two hours are not badly told, they are just too long and there are little to no laughs. If the movie had opened with the revelation revealed in the last 30 minutes I think we could have had a much more thrilling and mysterious ride. Part of me feels this movie would have been better suited as a 3 part miniseries on HBO or Showtime. Pacing could have been improved by trimming 1 hour of fat out of this beast of a movie.
There are many minor characters who we know little about that die and honestly I could have cared less because we know next to nothing about them. At one point a villain is introduced who's only real purpose is to slow the picture down and make it harder for our heroes to succeed. This was totally unnecessary and other devices could have been leveraged to produce the same result in quicker screen time. Luckily the two leads have strong enough parts to weed through this murky side character business.
I am not going to compare the similarities between "Contact" and "Interstellar" as they are quite obvious. However where "Contact" succeeded is that it has a very simple and understandable climax and resolution, Interstellar does not. After about two thirds through the movie you will begin scratching you head. Part of the problem comes from introducing the all too convenient fantasy physics and loony tunes math equations which attempt to magically fix many of the films plot hole problems. Or so it seems. The bizarre ending does not match McConaughey's wants and desires laboriously established over the 3 hour film leaving the exiting audience listless and apathetic.
No fault can be found with the films thumping score produce by Hans Zimmer. During many sequences it helped elevate the dramatic tension and enhance emotional character scenes. All the production values and effects are of course top notch and riveting. However I believe audiences should demand more from a film that has aspirations of being so much more than a spectacle.
A non-linear presentation of the plot would have tied in with the films time bending theme and greatly enhanced the sci-fi energy ride which I feel has no steam until act 3. On the whole this is a very strong sci- film film that deserves a viewing but I am doubtful you will feel desire to watch this for a second time. I have no complaints like fellow reviewers who feel the film was too 'preachy.' I didn't feel this was ever an issue with the film. My main problem is that we already have "Contact" and it gives us the same ride in shorter time with crystal clarity.