Regardless of what people think of Musk, he's really making things happen with these rockets. This is a test flight for the BFR prototype (smaller version). SpaceX has several full scale versions under construction now. Test flight planned this year, with a commercial mission next year, and a trip to Mars in 2022. I like the way the boosters land "Buck Rodgers" style.
Just like the DC-X, except they will build the full size version. NASA gave the X-33 contract to L-M and that was $1.3B down the toilet.
Here Musk explains the choice of materials for the BFR Starship. Reminds me somewhat of the BDB (Big Dumb Booster) concept.