Interstellar

*****
UK Release Date: November 7th 2014

A team of explorers travel through a wormhole in an attempt to find a potentially habitable planet that will sustain humanity.

Director: Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, The Prestige, Memento)

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Mackenzie Foy

Christopher Nolan, well known for Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy, has fastly become one of the biggest names in Hollywood. There's major expectations when he releases a new film. Is Interstellar just as good as Inception? Yes and no. They are different. Very different. Incomparable in fact. Interstellar is Nolan's first dip in to deep space.

Interstellar will have you deep in thought for a very, very long time. It contains a complex structure that adds extra layers the deeper it gets. It would help to have some knowledge in astronomy, or become lost in the story's abyss.

The planet is dying. Crops are slowly decaying. It's up to former pilot turned corn farmer Cooper (McConaughey) to find a new planet for the human race to inhabit. He chooses humanity over family, creating a rift between him and his daughter Murph (Foy/Chastain).

Going in to more detail would ruin the plot and its very twisty twists. Cooper is teamed up with his Anne Hathaway's Brand and two other pilots. Everyone gets caught up with them completing their nigh-on impossible mission that Cooper's family and everyone back home could be easily forgotten about, but not where Nolan's concerned. Interstellar isn't 169 minutes in running time to frolic in space. Space is secondary to the father-daughter relationship that occurs over the duration of the film. Nolan debuts McConaghey, Chastain and even the young Foy's acting is powerful enough to strip the attention away from outer-space. Cooper and Murph put family first and survival second. Let's be honest, what's the point in surviving without the ones we love most? 

Interstellar isn't just impressive to watch, it's marvellous to look at too. Surprisingly enough small amounts of CGI were used. Spatial interiors and closed sets were used to create the endless, foreboding darkness that drowns the screen, giving it that edge and extra realism that 'metaphorically' shits all over Gravity. Sandra Bullock's Ryan goes from set-piece to set-piece, coming in and out of danger more times than a fireman's career. Cooper goes from plot to character development, from set-piece to even bigger set-piece. A lot will come at you unexpectedly. Imagine Alien meets 2001: A Space Odyssey. The landscapes also look phenomenal too.

Don't worry too much if you're getting lost with its unreachable concept. It'll take a few runs to fully grasp this maze of a story. Even then only space fanatics will be able to comprehend what's on display, especially towards the end of the film. To summarise: it's a mind-fuck. That's about the only pessimistic thought it deserves.

Hans Zimmer's music adds depth to the scenes. There's a subtle ingeniousness behind the impeccable sounds that juxtapose the scenery. Zimmer's soundtracks are usually notable, but this time round there are more hints of Phillip Glass than John Williams.

McConaughey is fantastic, showing that he's a worthy A-lister. Following Dallas Buyers Club is no mean feat, but done with aching brutality. He's aided by Nolan veterans Michael Caine and Anne Hathaway and Nolan debutees Chastain, Lithgow and Casey Affleck. The support are just as admirable, with the screen-time they get to play with.

Verdict: The most memorable film of the year, Interstellar packs a lot into its running time. It doesn't feel dragged out, and there will be plenty to unravel with a second viewing. Should easily pick up a few awards.