When Nolan cited Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey as an influence on Interstellar, he wasn't kidding. In fact the film doesnt seem so much as inspired by the masterful philosophical sci-fi film, but almost like a cover version that changes a few key things. A riff on Kubricks concepts which, whilst dressed up differently and reaching different conclusions, is noticeably very similar in its tale of humanitys collective minds being expanded during a space mission, and realising - my god! - its full of stars. The trippy sequences in Interstellar are of a different sort, and the robots are a lot nicer than in 2001, but otherwise theres a lot in common. Humanitys leap in evolution in 2001 is implied to be the work of cosmic intervention by alien beings, as the whole plot of Nolans film hinges on the appearance of those fifth dimensional creatures showing us the way. Whats interesting is when you apply the parallels between the two films to that idea, because here the fifth dimensional beings are humanity. In 2001 terms, that means the ever-present monoliths aren't the work of a higher form of alien being, but by humans. We are our own intergalactic guardian angels. A little solipsistic, sure, but also a lot more optimistic than Kubrick ever managed.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
