Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places

Stephen Hawking's Favorite Places is an acclaimed documentary from 2016 based on the life of celebrated physicist Stephen Hawking. The unique format of this cosmological journey offers viewers an unparalleled access to the brilliant mind and unforgettable places of allegorical significance for the British physicist, in his poignant pursuit of understanding the origins and mysteries of the universe.

Renowned for his astrophysical theories and for his enduring battle against the debilitating motor neurone disease (ALS), Stephen Hawking requires no introduction. Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Albert Einstein, Hawking is best known for his research in relativity and black holes. In keeping with his extraordinary spirit, Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places offers viewers an opportunity to take a simulated cosmic journey with Hawking in his personal spaceship, the SS Hawking.

With stunning CGI effects, a pulsating narrative, and Hawking’s inspired narration, this documentary takes the audience through a guided tour of Hawking's “favorite places” in the cosmos. From visiting the Big Bang to Gliese 832c, a potentially habitable exoplanet, viewers embark on a grand voyage, tracing back the origins of the universe and looking ahead towards distant galaxies that might foster life.

The movie initiates the explorative ride with a journey to Saturn, Hawking's beloved planet. This awe-inspiring expedition around the planet – alongside its giant ice rings and moon – sets the tone for what turns out to be an exhilarating cosmic feast. Through these picturesque sequences, Hawking succinctly illustrates the wonders of the universe, his passion for the cosmos, and his belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Next in line is Santa Barbara, California, where Hawking spent many fruitful summers as a visiting professor at the University of California. It was here that he not only furthered his work on black hole theories but also savored a sense of tranquility and inspiration. The movie documents his fondness for this place in an evocative and heart-stirring manner.

The third stop in Hawking's interstellar explorative journey is walking back to the very beginning with a trip to the Big Bang. Here, Hawking hugs the outer limit of the Earth's observable universe and travels back to the moment of the universe's creation, reflecting upon his discovery that black holes could emit radiation.

The Penrose Institute in London, where Hawking's ingenuity found its theoretical footing and where landmark research was conducted on space and time singularities, features as the fourth key location. Viewers get a glimpse of Hawking's pioneering 'singularity theorems', as well as the highs and lows of his academic career.

The final leg of the movie's imaginative journey takes viewers through the cosmos to a super-Earth, Gliese 832c, which is 16 light-years away and might support life. Here, Hawking reflects on his cosmological constant or the prospect of other inhabited worlds, reiterating his firm belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Throughout the movie, Hawking contemplates existential questions and shares his insights on matters of cosmic significance. The viewers also get a chance to witness the departure from pure physics to the related subject matter of biology and evolution, as Hawking muses on how intelligent life might have evolved elsewhere.

This film is an extraordinary blend of inspiration and information. It is a tapestry of awe-inspiring cosmic phenomena, underlain by a hint of nostalgia. It showcases some poignant moments where Hawking reflects on his life, memories of favorite places, and his adversary – the Motor Neurone Disease (ALS) – which powers the meta narrative of the feature.

In conclusion, Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places is a captivating blend of awe-inspiring cosmic travel, scientific clarity, and a peek into the life of one of the greatest minds in modern times. The movie succeeds in humanizing science to a great extent while leaving the audience inspired and intrigued about the cosmos' beauty and mystery. All of these elements combine to produce a masterful mash-up of science, biography, and cerebral entertainment that expands the mind and stirs the soul.