Interstellar OST Review

It is time I think, for another film score review! Something a little more up to date though, today I tackle an absolute gem within the science fiction genre; Interstellar (2014).

First then, lets as per usual start with a brief synopsis of the film!

"Interstellar follows humanity’s last-ditch effort to find a new habitable planet – after Earth is ravaged by environmental catastrophe. When former NASA pilot-turned-corn farmer Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) finds the coordinates to a top secret government project, he’s brought in on the secret that the government has secretly been working to send a crew through a recently discovered wormhole in the hopes that humankind can find refuge in a new galaxy. However, in order to help save the remaining people on Earth, Cooper must leave his own family behind – and journey into unknown regions of space."
(Kendrick, 2014)

Onto the films' score now!

Hans Zimmer has done it again!
From the beginning of this beautiful movie right up to the credits Hans has created music that not only encapsulates the audience but adds to and characterises the vast soundscape that is space!

Starting with an almost dreamlike opening theme consisting mainly of pads, Hans draws us (the audience) in and almost lulls us into a trance before bringing forth the absolutely massive pipe organ playing a beautiful ostinato and building (as Hans does) into an epic soundscape; reflecting the vast expanse that is space.

”Dreaming of the crash”, “Cornfield chase” and “Dust” are beautiful and haunting echoes of what’s going to follow. Hans Zimmer is building this imaginary world with the first three cues… He’s drawing the sky, the stars, the oceans, the life. The biggest organ in the world starts flapping its wings slowly. That organ is the sun that sustains life in the world of the Interstellar score. In the beginning it is gentle and soft, like rain in that sunny world. It brings a little sadness and a feeling of deep loneliness. “Day one” is like listening to your own heartbeat after many days of complete loneliness. 


(Manduteanu, 2014)

This score is all about contrast; Hans uses the unmistakable grandeur of the pipe organ (combined with the usual epic horns) and contrasts this with the almost desolate sound of pads and piano. Reason being I believe, is to create a sense of awe within the audience as well as emphasise the cold and unforgiving nature of space travel.

Furthermore Zimmer brings to life the element of time within the film, particularly within his theme Mountains. Hans begins with the sound of wooden metronome, that gradually (but EVER so gradually) builds into possibly the most insane climax in the history of film scoring! (Rivalled only by Hans' theme for inception Time)

"Anything can become a musical sound. The wind on telegraph wires is a great sound; get it into your machine and play it and it becomes interesting." Hans Zimmer


In essence then, I truly believe that Hans' score makes this movie. His use of the ordinary to create the extraordinary has astounded me within this film and I definitely believe this is some of his best work to date! This film score has taken me on an emotional journey on its own, reflecting the intimacy of being alone in a world so vast it is at times incomprehensible.



Reference Links:
http://www.soundtrackdreams.com/2014/11/soundtrack-review-interstellar-hans-zimmer-2014/
http://www.soundtrackgeek.com/v2/soundtrack-review-interstellar/
http://screenrant.com/interstellar-ending-spoilers-time-travel/
http://www.movie-wave.net/interstellar/