Interstellar MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -2

Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, John Lithgow, Matt Damon. Directed by Christopher Nolan

FILM SYNOPSIS:Global warming, uncontrollable fires destroying our crops, scarcity of water supply – all consequences of eight billion people crammed on Planet Earth. Can NASA save us from total oblivion? That is the challenge facing former astronaut Cooper (Matthew McConaughey). He is recruIted by Professor Brand (Michael Caine), who has discovered a wormhole in the stratosphere that will allow access to a whole new galaxy that can sustain life. Time is of the essence for Cooper to complete the mission and return home to his family because one hour of time in space equals seven years on Earth. That means 24 hours x 7 years = 168 years!

PREVIEW REVIEW:Breathtaking scenery on the huge IMAX screen as Cooper and his crew race through space will no doubt set Interstellar apart from all other sci-fi films. The supporting cast includes Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, and John Lithgow, all outstanding actors. However, when compared to Guardians of the Galaxy, it falls short on entertainment. Perhaps a little less soap opera drama on the home front would have cut the screen time down to 2 ½ hours from almost 3 hours, or 21 years in space time. Now that’s too long.

My review does not support a +4, but when I saw that it has already topped $1 million from pre-opening screenings, I rated it accordingly. Maybe a sentence like "For this reviewer's entertainment value Interstellar does not justify Preview's highest rating of +4 because of its length and corny, melodramatic subplot, even though technically and visually it is amazing."

The message of how critical conserving our natural resources is becoming may inspire audiences to be more responsible. The fact that the world population has ballooned to over eight billion certainly deserves attention, but using scare tactics seems a bit excessive. The opening scene looks like Little House on the Prairie. Dust storms destroy crops, drought causes such a shortage of water that fires cannot be controlled. Every generation deals with potential health, environmental and crime prevention issues. The young people of today need hope, not despair. Interstellar gives the impression that our world can be saved by an astronaut and his crew on one fantasy trip through space. That is entertainment because it sells tickets. An occasional reminder would be nice that God is still in control.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Paramount Pictures