This document compares and contrasts the science fiction films Inception and Interstellar. It discusses their settings, themes, moods, and targeted audiences. Inception is set in the universe of dreams within dreams, and explores Dominic Cobb's desire to escape guilt. Interstellar is set in a future where Earth is ravaged, and follows Cooper's journey through space to find a new planet. Both films have dark, sad tones, but express emotion differently. Inception is more complex and suitable for older audiences, while Interstellar can be understood by wider age groups due to its themes of space exploration, love, and family. Overall, the document examines how different elements create distinct effects and styles between the two films.

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Written Assignment 01 Compare-Contrast Essay 0318355
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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
THE DESIGN SCHOOL
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT
ENGLISH 2 (ELG 30605)
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: COMPARE – CONTRAST ESSAY
NAME: TAN YINCY
STUDENT ID NO: 0318355
FILMS SELECTED: INCEPTION & INTERSTELLAR (SCIENCE-FICTION FILMS)
WORD COUNT: 934 WORDS
LECTURER: CASSANDRA WIJESURIA
SUBMISSION DATE: 8TH APRIL 2015

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Genres refer to the method based on resemblance in the chronological elements from
which films are constructed according to the film theory. Most theories of film genre are adopted
from literary genre criticism. Besides the fundamental distinction in genres between fiction and
documentary, film genres could also be categorized in several ways. (Stam & Raengo, 2004)
Science-fiction is considered as one of the main genre in the industry. They are quasi-scientific,
visionary and imaginative, often completed with heroes, aliens, distant planets, impossible
quests, improbable settings, fantastic places, great dark and shadowy villains, futuristic
technology, unknown and unknowable forces, and extraordinary monsters ('things or creatures
from space'). (Dirks, 2015) For this assignment, the differences of the setting, the theme or topic,
the mood and the targeted audience between the two chosen science-fiction films, ‘Inception’
and ‘Interstellar’ would be compared.
Both of these Science-Fiction films, ‘Inception’ and ‘Interstellar’ are produced and
directed by British director Christopher Nolan. They were an enormous success on screen,
earning millions of dollars. The setting for the film ‘Inception’ is the universe of dreams, with
dreams within dreams, it is exactly the narrative equivalent of a set of Russian nesting dolls. The
film revolves around Dominic Cobb, who is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art
of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state,
when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Whereas for the film ‘Interstellar’, it was set in the near

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future, where earth has been ravaged by an environmental disaster known as the Blight, forcing
humanity to abandon technology and the dreams of discovery, in order to focus just on basic
survival. Formal NASA pilot, Cooper, is now the only hope in saving the human race and needs
to embark on a journey to find a new planet to call home.
Besides that, throughout ‘Inception’, the theme or topic portrayed was that because of
Dominic’s rare ability, it cost him everything he has ever loved. In order to set everything right
and get his life back, he now has one last impossible mission to complete – not extraction, but to
plant (inception) a new idea or impulse into the consciousness of business tycoon Fischer, the
heir to an industrial empire. Whereas in ‘Interstellar’, the film describes the deteriorating living
conditions of our future generation. The main protagonist (Cooper) was offered a chance to
fulfill an old ambition that could also save humankind at the same time. He must leave his family
behind and set out on an uncertain journey into space. The theme for these two films greatly
differs and depicts absolutely different issues in every level. Inception focuses on the mysterious
dream-reality universe and the desire of the main protagonist (Cobb) to escape guilt while
Interstellar focuses more on personal sacrifice, scientific discovery and the love, the parent-child
bond that guides the central characters to keep searching for a way to reunite.
For the mood of the film, ‘Inception’ and ‘Interstellar’ both portrayed a dark and sad vibe
with the setting and plot. However, although these two films are downright emotional where

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emotions take the center stage, both perfectly shows how emotion shapes our life, our reality and
how our near and dear ones are important aspects of our life, in ‘Inception’, everything is a
shield to emotion. From the suit to the dream layers, it repressed Cobb’s emotional side several
dream levels deep; while in ‘Interstellar’, Cooper does not hide his emotions behind a mask. The
emotions are confronted. He lets it out, sobbing helplessly at the sight of his children suddenly
aged twenty years before his eyes. Other than that, the music both composed by Hans Zimmer
showed different kinds and levels of emotions and darkness in these films. In ‘Inception, the
music composed is more electronic and dense, filled with nostalgia and sadness, whereas in
‘Interstellar’, from the music to texture, it was reinvented into a unique sound where audience
could experience space travel and the hardship by ear.
In addition, ‘Inception’ is a very complex movie with four different scenarios going on at
the same time. It is not suitable for all age group as younger audience may not understand the
film and would feel confuse about the plot. It was made for an audience that would enjoy
suspense, mystery and an action-packed science-fiction film. It was deemed more suitable for
teenagers, young adults and all the age groups after that. But still, not all will enjoy and
appreciate this film. Some may not enjoy it as much as others do. Whilst for ‘Interstellar, it is
more suitable for all age group as it is about space exploration, with stunning visual effects, love
and the parent-child bond that could be understand easily by younger audience.

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To wrap it up, we can conclude from the two films that by instilling and manipulating
different elements of the film, different effects can be achieved even by using the same medium,
and especially by utilizing the visual effects in science-fiction film genre, it gives more graphics
and mood, allowing the director to communicate and reach out to the audience more intimately
and literally in both films. The films could be portrayed in two completely different styles in
terms of settings, theme or topic, mood as well as the targeted audience, giving each film its
unique individuality. It certainly has been an interesting discussion, to have the chance to analyze
this interesting genre. Hopefully more science-fiction films with amazing plots, cast and mind-
blowing visual effects will emerge and conquer the big screen, continue to relive the great legacy
of ‘Inception’ and ‘Interstellar’.

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REFERENCES
1) Stam & Raengo.2004. Retrievedfrom http://as.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-
0631230548.html
2) Tim Dirks.2015. Main FilmGenres.Filmsite.Retrievedfrom
http://www.filmsite.org/genres.html