More Thoughts On “Interstellar”
Note: I have tried to be broad-brush in my comments, but the following May Contain SPOILERS for some.
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Yesterday I shared my initial reaction to the movie Interstellar, reflections that still hold good.
I’d like to add, though, that it was really refreshing to see a film that while “big” in its conceptualisation was not about “big battles.” Much as I like big, heroic stories I can’t help feeling decidedly “over” films that reduce the storytelling to big battles (es-pecially if that was not the focus of the original: yes, Prince Caspian, I’m looking at you!)
Which leads me to my next reflection: yes, Interstellar is classic “epic” storytelling! Think about it: we have the “farm boy”, who goes on an epic (interstellar) journey, with a band of brothers and lovable “animal”—ahem, robot—sidekicks: and why—to save the world, of course! The journey also comprises a take on “there and back again” with the changed hero unable (Odysseus fashion) to return to the old life…
Given the science, as I indicated yesterday, is pretty much “fantasy science” one could even argue that it is not only epic, but “epic fantasy”—but even for me, that would be stretching too long a bow. Let’s just say that this is definitely Space Opera and not hard SciFi. 😉
Damn, so its a Campbellian Monomyth in some ways.
I couldn’t help noticing that aspect to the storytelling…
We finally saw Interstellar last night.
We both liked it, although we both had quibbles about a few things, the ending in particular, but I am glad I saw it.
I do see why some genre fans had mixed feelings about it. It is not a typical genre movie in many ways.
Now to listen to the rest of the podcast.
One thing I should have said is that for those who love big space shots and panoramas, Interstellar is a must-see—and on the big screen, too.