It may be a little late, considering I saw the film opening night, but director Alfonso Cuaron’s latest is a film worth reviewing at any time. Praised as an artistically beautiful spectacle for the eyes, Gravity is also a powerfully acted film that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entirety of its ninety-one minutes. The trailers for the film make it quite clear what the viewer will be getting. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney star as astronauts in orbit outside of planet Earth who suddenly find themselves fighting for their very lives amidst damage and chaos. The trailer I saw was a heady mix of beauty and adrenaline and that is exactly what Gravity delivers.
Gravity is set almost entirely in space with Earth shining gloriously in the background. From the opening shot, especially on an enormous movie theater screen, you are in awe of just how stunning our little corner of the universe looks. It is that image, a luminescent rich blue planet Earth juxtaposed against the deep black of night, that provides the visual backdrop for the terror that is to follow. And make no mistake, what happens is terrifying. Unlike the violent over-the-top horror films normally associated with October in the Western Hemisphere, Gravity‘s fright comes from the seeming plausibility of all that occurs after the opening scene.
I’m not advocating that the science is flawless or that everything here is plausible, but it feels that way and Alfonso Cuaron does what good storytellers do–he maintains an internal consistency throughout the film that lends it plausibility. There has been some talk of whether or not Gravity is science fiction. For my money it doesn’t matter as this is a film with broad appeal, in no small part because of the casting.
George Clooney’s role is that of an amiable storyteller and as such he is perfectly cast. His banter not only provides a small amount of tension-breaking comic relief but is the calming presence that Sandra Bullock’s character, and the audience, needs. Sandra Bullock was also expertly cast and though it feels like a cop-out to say so, I will simply encourage you to see the film as evidence. Her performance is a thing of beauty as well. She is the character the audience is meant to engage with and identify with and that is exactly what happens within mere minutes of the film’s opening.
Gravity starts and ends with images of profound beauty and in between Alfonso Cuaron and his cast and crew provide an intimate movie spectacle that reminds viewers of the rush that big-screen theater viewing can give. One of the best films of the year and certainly a must-see.
Julie and I went on Sunday. We decided to see it in 3D and I am so glad we did. This was probably our 4th or 5th 3D film and I thought the film’s use of 3D was second only to Avatar.
This was the fastest 90 minutes I have ever experienced in the theater. The action never stopped, and it always made sense. I agree this was some of Saundra’s best work.
I don’t usually go to the theater to see plausible sci-fi, but for this film that was what I expected and I don’t feel let down. I’m not sure you can categorize this as sci-fi anyway. When we were leaving the theater I called it an adventure.
It was certainly an adventure. So glad you guys got to go out and see it this past weekend. I wish we could have seen it in 3D but the timing just wasn’t working. Still, great to see it on the Grand Screen at B&B.
Loved GRAVITY! You’re right about seeing it in 3-D. Sandra Bullock will get a well-deserved Oscar nomination. The scientists who are nit-picking GRAVITY are missing the point. It’s a MOVIE, dudes!
I too think she deserves an Oscar nod.
I’m with you on the point-missing. I don’t understand all the hoopla over science fiction films being plausible or not. If the internal plausibility works then that is enough for me. I just want to be entertained.
Heard good things about this movie from a friend who watched it. I was strongly encouraged not to miss it. đ You make it sound even better.
Then get to it Delia! đ It is worth seeing on the big screen.
It’s one I certainly would like to see but don’t know if I will get there.. if I don’t it will be on my list of dvds to get..along with the Desolation of Smaug..of course.
I’m so looking forward to Desolation of Smaug…and also to the Extended Edition of The Hobbit coming out on November 11th.
This is a FANTASTIC review!!! I wasn’t terribly interested in seeing it before, but I am now!
Thanks Andi! I hope when you see it it doesn’t disappoint.
We may actually, really go see this on the big screen, which is out of the ordinary for us.
I’d be interested in your opinion.
We will see it eventually, but as always, on DVD. It sounds great. I don’t like a lot of tension, but I think this movie will be worth it. Thanks for the review.
I thought the tension was nicely balanced, but it was tense.
Ah, you say this so beautifully! All I could say in my review was “AWESOME” and “AMAZING”! And… “don’t forget to breathe!” Loved this movie! Loved! http://sueysbooks.blogspot.com/2013/10/movie-review-gravity.html
“don’t forget to breathe” is perfect! It has those moments.
I totally agree! Gravity was beautiful! I felt like the film makers did an excellent job of engrossing the audience in not only the on screen action, but also in the lives of the characters themselves. I do have to admit that I was a bit stressed and may have been squeezing my husband’s arm throughout the whole movie, but it was SO worth it!
I’m glad we all got to see it together, it was a really nice evening.
Taking my pregnant wife may not have been the best idea (can’t breathe, she said–both from baby and tension). I loved it. Took her with the pitch of, want to go to space tonight? It felt that way.
Ha, probably not!!! Still, the memory will stick with the both of you. (When is the bundle of joy supposed to arrive?).
Glad you enjoyed it.
I’m hoping to see it this week. It hasn’t been a good time for me to get out to a movie, so I’m hoping it will still be there. I want the full effect of being out there in space, above earth. Oh yes!
I loved your review, Carl.