So this is not going to be a conventional review. I am going to be raging against a lot of
other Interstellar review, and against the Marvel film franchise. I am going to abuse my position as a late
entrant reviewer to be a little non-objective here.
Little disclaimer: I
am more of a DC Comics guy, and all the Marvel characters that I do like, are
either not with Marvel Studios, or they aren’t doing much with them.
But first let’s talk about Interstellar. The trippy intellectual movie by Chris
Nolan. Trippy in some of its visuals and
its dialogues. In fact, I dare imagine,
it would be a great movie to watch when high.
The discussions and arguments about the theories explored in the movie
would play out much more interestingly if held among “stimulated”
individuals. But us, on our normal plane
of thought and existence, we need to work for it. Nolan aims for something unique, mixing sci-fi visuals
juxtaposed with high concept theories that make for some compelling arguments
while stopping just short of proselytizing.
A lot of the reviews out there have been unfair to this
movie. Some overhyped the IMAX aspect
during the prerelease and were disappointed when the movie failed to live up to
their internal expectations. They
probably expected another bombastic, sci-fi adventure featuring a cowboy
anti-hero and possibly lasers. Lots of
lasers. Or perhaps they expected the
high-concept aspect to be tempered and dumbed down into something as simple as
time-travel or parallel dimensions.
The film’s third act conflict, is a human one, fitting in
retrospect considering the earlier dialogue between McConnaughey’s Cooper and
Hathaway’s Brand about the lack of evil to fear on their upcoming
adventure. Evil is essentially a trait
unique to human nature.
But back to the expressed disappointment. This is where I hate Marvel. They have spoilt the movie going experience
with their “Big, Inter-Connected Plan”.
The constant gratification provided to fanboys. We need to go in knowing everything. Who is Ultron? Does Hawkeye die? Is Loki still in play? Will Star Lord throw
down with Cap?
You see it in the fanboy articles raving about every step,
wink, nudge thrown at them by the Marvel machine. They who turned on Christopher Nolan, for an
ALLEGED remark made about Marvel post credit hooks.
We hate surprises now.
In an age where the entire final act is practically given away in the
trailers, we tend to fill in the gaps when information is withheld and blame
the movie for being unable to manage our expectations.
Interstellar is certainly not about gratification. It is about making you think. People will disagree with the conclusions
drawn in the movie perhaps. But that’s
good. Debate is good. But I fear, the debate aspect will be skipped
and we will move onto the generic humor and ridicule that bloggers are so prone
to.
In my view, Interstellar aims really high. It sets a bar and asks us to join it up
there. If you do feel disappointed,
chances are you bought a Salman Rushdie novel expecting a Chetan Bhagat level
of gratification. Keep aiming Mr.
Nolan. I, for one, am with you.
P.S.
Marvel, with their phases extending right into the next millennium
certainly has no plan to go gently into the good night. Christopher Nolan, meanwhile, will be
exploring his next unique endeavor, trying to outdo himself and setting
expectations, not managing them.
