CEBU, Philippines — I first watched “Interstellar” on an old laptop a year after its 2014 release. With its shifting aspect ratios and stunning cinematography, I remember regretting not experiencing the film in theaters —especially in IMAX, the format that the film’s director Christopher Nolan champions as the ideal way to present his work.
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, “Interstellar” was re-released in IMAX theaters by Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures last December. Originally a one-week engagement, its strong global box office performance, earning $24.4 million, underscored the enduring appeal of this Nolan classic even in an era dominated by streaming platforms.
The re-release, exclusively at SM IMAX theaters, didn’t arrive in the Philippines until January 15. While local box office figures have not been disclosed, SM added a second week of screenings including at SM City Cebu — the only IMAX theater in the province — suggesting that the local demand mirrored its overseas reception.
The question remains: even if people can watch this film in the convenience of their homes, why would they rather spend P750 to watch a 10-year-old movie on the biggest screen possible?
The answer lies in Nolan’s commitment to the cinematic experience. As a filmmaker, he is IMAX’s biggest ambassador, favoring its massive screens and unparalleled image clarity to create a sensory standard unmatched by other formats.
From “The Dark Knight” trilogy to his latest masterpiece “Oppenheimer”, Nolan’s use of IMAX is integral to his storytelling, with sequences shot specifically on IMAX cameras to maximize the format’s potential.
It’s easy to overlook just how revolutionary the IMAX format once was — especially now when most blockbusters aren’t even shot in IMAX but merely converted to the format as a justification for higher ticket returns.
But in Nolan’s films, IMAX is more than a visual upgrade; it’s an essential part of his storytelling. This is why audiences are willing to spend to experience one of his classics in the way he intended.
To refresh, “Interstellar” tells the story of Coop (Matthew McConaughey), a former space pilot turned farmer in a dystopian future where Earth is dying. As resources dwindle and sandstorms ravage the planet, NASA operates in secret, searching for habitable planets to ensure humanity’s survival.
Coop is recruited to lead a team of astronauts and scientists, including Dr. Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway), on a mission to find a new home for humankind.
Coop’s personal conflict is his longing to reunite with his children, Murph and Tom (played as adults by Jessica Chastain and Casey Affleck), which serves as the emotional core of the story. Time dilation, a scientific phenomenon depicted in the film, means years pass for his children while only hours, days, or months at most elapse for Coop in space, adding to the emotional weight.
The film’s emotionally charged moments, such as Coop watching years’ worth of video messages from his children, are some of Nolan’s most poignant storytelling to this day. This raw vulnerability, paired with a powerhouse cast that included standout performances from McConaughey, Chastain, and Hathaway, grounds the film’s high-concept narrative with an emotional touch.
What sets “Interstellar” apart from other science-fiction films is its refusal to oversimplify its mechanics. The film trusts its audience to grasp complex scientific concepts while the story unfolds, rather than through exposition which would've bored the audience to death.
Watching the visuals in IMAX alone is worth re-watching the film in this format. Space sequences, with their expanded aspect ratio, create an immersive journey that makes viewers feel as though they are traveling alongside the characters.
It’s a testament to Nolan’s ability to merge technical innovation with his storytelling, reinforcing why IMAX is more than just a format for him — it’s a narrative device integral to his films.
The re-release of “Interstellar” shows that IMAX is far from a marketing gimmick. When its technology is employed as intended for enhancing cinematic storytelling rather than boosting box office numbers, it becomes an experience undeniably worth the hefty price tag, even for a movie that was released a decade ago. Five stars out of five.