Gravity
Warner Bros. Pictures
Rated PG-13 for intense perilous sequences, some disturbing images and brief strong language.
Running time: 91 minutes.
Four stars out of four.
Believe the hype: “Gravity” is as jaw-droppingly spectacular as you’ve heard — magnificent from a technical perspective but also a marvel of controlled acting and precise tone. This is not hyperbole: This is the best film I’ve seen so far this year.
I seriously have no idea how Alfonso Cuaron made this movie. I mean, I have some idea, and it involves many, many talented people in front of many, many computers. But the fact that we genuinely feel like we’re watching George Clooney and Sandra Bullock in space — floating, tumbling, hurtling, clinging to each other for life — is just a mind-bogglingly impressive thing. We forget that these are A-list stars and become totally immersed in their characters’ struggle to survive.
My good friend Justin Chang at Variety put it best when he said: “See it in 3D, on the biggest screen you can find.” If there’s an IMAX theater near you, get there. If there isn’t an IMAX theater, hop in your car and drive to one. I saw it in plain-old 3-D and was blown away — I can’t even imagine how much more mesmerizing it would have been in IMAX.
“Gravity” does everything right in ways that are both big and small. It’s beautiful and horrifying, detailed yet enormous, specific yet universally relatable. Yes, it’s about how space can be a wondrous and unforgiving place but it’s also about earthly human truths: love and loss, perseverance and redemption.
You’re sure to find yourself reacting viscerally in some way, perhaps in many ways. I was surprised to find myself on the verge on tears nearly the whole time, so moved was I by the awesomeness of the images, then by the intimate, dreamlike way in which these two characters reveal themselves to each other, and ultimately by the sheer force of will in the face of impossible peril. But “Gravity” is primarily an incredibly intense experience: 90 minutes of tight jaw, crossed legs and clenched fists. The story itself, which director Cuaron wrote with his son, Jonas, may strike you as formulaic at first, but it will startle you again and again.
It begins with a bravura single take that seems to go on forever: A speck in the distance set against an infinite blackness grows closer and closer until it’s clear that we’re looking at actual people, 600 km above Earth, working on the Hubble Telescope. (The sound design, by the way, is sublime; it’s also a nice touch that Ed Harris, star of “Apollo 13” and “The Right Stuff,” provides the voice of Mission Control.)
Bullock’s Dr. Ryan Stone is an accomplished medical engineer making her first shuttle mission. She is all business — focusing hard on doing everything right, understandably nervous in this foreign and complex scenario. Bullock does so much in this film simply through breathing, voice modulation and subtle facial expressions; long before things get gnarly, we have a great feeling for who she is.
On the other end of the spectrum is Clooney’s Matt Kowalski, a veteran astronaut making his final mission. “Matt, it’s been a privilege,” his longtime colleagues tell him. This means something terrible surely will befall him. Kowalski glides around the telescope with a jet-pack strapped to his back, glibly joking with Mission Control, playing country songs, telling tall tales.
“Houston, I have a bad feeling about this mission,” he kids, as usual. Clooney is doing Danny Ocean in space, his rich voice oozing charisma and a wry worldliness. But his cool confidence becomes crucial once this seemingly routine operation turns ugly — which it does, in a hurry.
Debris from a neighboring space station is flying toward them, forcing them to abort the mission and climb back into the shuttle. But the crew members don’t all make it in time, leaving Stone and Kowalski floating in the darkness once a storm of metal and mass arrives. Cuaron’s use of 3-D is particularly strong in these massive action sequences — it’s flinch-inducing — but he also finds the delicacy in the technology in quieter moments.
Suddenly, all these two have is each other; tethered together, cut off from Earth, running out of time and oxygen, they search for a way back home and hope to avoid the next wave of debris. “Gravity” often feels the a dazzlingly high-tech play on film, with two expert actors playing off each other brilliantly. And just when it seems as if things couldn’t possibly get any worse … they do.
I wouldn’t dream of telling you where “Gravity” goes from here as it evolves and reveals its characters’ resourcefulness and resolve. I will say this is the performance of Bullock’s career, as she rises to the challenge of conveying a history and an arc in the smallest of ways and the tightest of circumstances. Like the film as a whole, it’s a breathtaking thing to behold.
It is a revelation and I too reviewed with so many superlatives I lost count. Nicely done, I enjoyed the affirmation!
Worst movie I have seen in a long time. I should have been paid to see this movie. I read all these great reviews, the real truth with real people opinions will be read on Redbox. I give it 1/2 star.
All I can say is that I truly feel sad for you that you were not able to appreciate this film on the level that so many of us have. I can assure you that the reviews are real, and that some movies just don’t strike the same chord with everyone. That being said, just because you didn’t enjoy it doesn’t mean everyone is “lying” about their experience.
Because the majority think it is a great movie does not mean it is. By what criterion is it judged?..Let’s ask for starters what’s important 1. A Good Story / 2. Good Actors / 3. Credibility / 4 Technically / 5 Music.
Well there really was not much of a story really – George Clooney was lightweight who gave up his life as though he was going down to the pub for a drink. The story was not credible it you think about it…damaged space spaces stations, the chances of Sandra getting back to Earth was fantasy and doubtful.. Finally Technically it was first class and it was that that clearly carried the audiences. In my book it does not rate as a movie worth 97%. I suggest you all go and see ‘The Return of Martin Guerre’ (French) Now that is worth 97% because it has so many ingredients which make it a super film.
nice.
My criteria for a good film are:
1) Interesting, layered characters (these characters were bland), 2) a well-written and creative script (this script was AWFUL), and 3) a thought-provoking story (bland, generic story in Gravity). I guess the kinds of people who loved this movie are captivated by suspense and good graphics, both of which this movie had, but neither of which is enough to make me interested in a movie.
Yup, I agree. The script was horrendously cheesy and cliche, the entire story was lucky coincidence after “no way, that’s impossible”. Far too unbelievable and unrealistic, and while Bullock did a good job, I found her character pretty generic. The only thing I enjoyed about the film was the footage/CG, which got old after about 15 minutes.
I couldn’t have said ANY of that any better than you have here! I got the spectacular opportunity to see it last night and I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through! It was intense, mesmerizing, spectacular, imaginative and a great change of pace from all the other cookie cutter movies out as of late! I can’t wait to see it again… Only next time will be at an imax.
Amazing movie! The best movie of the year by far. This movie is so good that it would have been the best movie of the year in almost any past year. I think that technically, especially the visuals, it’s as groundbreaking as any movie the past 50 years except Avatar. This movie is spectacular.
A few of the concepts seemed far-fetched but ultimately it is a science fiction movie.
I saw it at a Cinetopia that was just built last year. This theater is as up-to-date as possible and it has all the bells and whistles. It has the largest screens in the entire Pacific Northwest. The screens are larger than IMAX screens in the local area. The sound at this theater is as good as it gets. I saw it in 3d. I paid $17 to see it last night. I’m thinking about going to see it again today at the same theater. To those of you who don’t have an IMAX nearby I think you should drive to one because this movie belongs on a giant screen in 3d with impeccable sound. You would not believe what a spectacle this movie is at the new Cinetopia where I saw it. Below is a link to the theater where I saw it at and if you live within 50 miles of Vancouver Washington you really should consider seeing it at this theater because I have and I assure you that there is no way a regular theater could do justice to this movie. Even IMAX won’t display the movie as well as this new Cinetopia does and I live blocks away from this splendid theater.
http://www.cinetopia.com/location/vancmall.htm
When I say that this movie would have been the best movie of the year in almost every past year I sincerely mean that I truly believe that this movie, as I saw it at the new Cinetopia where I saw it, would be the best movie of the year in at least 40 of the past 50 years. This movie is really something special. And it’s nice to see America’s sweetheart, Sandra Bullock, finally get a great role. I really think that most of the movies she’s starred in, in the past were too shallow so it’s really great to see her get to star in one of the great movies of the past decades.
Christy,
Wow! What a beautifully written review. Your words are my feelings exactly. The emotions I felt while watching “Gravity” were amazing. A truly emotional wild ride. So proud of Sandra Bullock. She amazed me. I truly hope “Gravity” wins many Oscars this year, and not just technical awards. How about breaking through the glass ceiling and awarding a Sci-Fi film Best Picture. Best Director. Best Actress, and Best Score. Then give it all those technical awards to boot.
YES YES AND YES!!!!!!!
And the soundtrack ::perfectly:: compliments the visuals.
I’ll keep this short and sweet. I agree with all the deserved accolades both here and on other media outlets. Be forewarned! If you’re one affected by dizzying visuals or swirling images that may be disorienting be ready to take a grip on those armrests. Along with the superb acting and technical achievement, the accompanying soundtrack underscores the dramatic tension and resolve.
What are you all on? This movie was awful. It was completely ridiculous American Hollywood shlock. The dialogue was dreadful, the action utterly implausible, the paper-thin quasi-philosophy trite at best, zero emotional engagement – it’s just expensive crap.
Children of Men is a masterpiece, but he just completely sold his soul to make ca$h.
I think you need to see it again. Your cynism amazes.
Thank God; I was only a few swooning ‘commenters’ in when I got to your’s Aaron. I saw it last night. I then stayed awake the rest of the night pondering the flatline that was tracing across my inner-movie appreciation monitor screen.
Granted, I consider myself a purist in many mediums; you know, old-fashioned-all-human being-naturally-produced-CG-free stuff. Yes, this puts me in the bitter, old curmudgeon camp..except it isn’t what I am.
I thrill at the chance to feel raw anxiety at the hands of a movie’s content, to live vicariously, if only for a couple hours, through the characters and their trials and tribulations. This movie left me living vicariously through George Clooney’s soon-to-be disengaged tether carabiner….only in this situation, I’d live that moment much sooner than it actually happened.
Oh, no doubt the Oscars will probably be shown in 3-D, hosted a by space-suited actor/actress (the only way Franco should probably ever host again, actually). At various places throughout the celebrity packed audience, several random articles, such as bolts, space tools, astronaut helmet’s and gloves will be suspended from the ceiling on fishing line to simulate and therefore stimulate, that curious fascination that the movie going public seems to crave. Frankly, the amazing Viewmaster toy (remember those, fellow curmudgeons?) of my childhood fulfilled any intoxication-by-CG cravings I still carry in my various intracranial lobes.
For those who found this to be a much different experience than I did, I give you all due respect. As for myself, I fully expect at least two new Oscar winning categories; ‘Best Original Screen Writing Using The Fewest, Actual Words “Dr. Ryan Stone: “Pant! Pant! Gasp!” and ‘Best Spacewalk Through A Movie To A Paycheck: George Clooney as Matt Kowalski’
I know, I know, haters gonna hate….so glad not to disappoint you on that note!
Really, Janelle? Your comment was as long as the movie!
I couldn’t agree with you more. I didn’t find anything special about Gravity. George Clooney did a good job in his part which was short lived. This movie was another “Cast Away” but in space and much, much worse!
Thanks for bringing up the name Cast Away here too. I was just thinking how much resemblance this movie has to Cast Away and I must say I loved Cast Away and I really liked Gravity too. Both of these movies are deep making us think why we go through life and all its hardships. Is it really worth the try if you have to be hit with waves after waves of hardships. Maybe if you read the book You Were Born For A Reason, with it Buddhist perspective on the meaning of life, you can enjoy these movies unlike before.
Aaron, you are right on. It was AWFUL! I never once cared about anybody because there was no character development. This whole gushing review thing reminds me of the “Emperors New Clothes.”
I agree with you…and wish l had thought of the analogy…sums it up perfectly. ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ nice one.
I totally agree! Both my husband and I could not figure out why everyone loves this movie. Never once did I think Bullock or Clooney were anyone other than themselves.
Sorry that you missed the “point”. As a mother thar lost a child from an unexpected accident….I totally get it. Hope you never have to understand what was “really” happening
You seriously have to be trolling, joking or on crack. This movie was every bit what is being said about it and I’m sad that you coukdn’t experience it in the same way.
Yeah, I think Aaron that the same people who enjoyed this movie are the same people who don’t have a sense of taste for excellent movies… I hated it all the way throughout the movie that I was angry when I left. My friend had to calm me down.
I totally agree with you, how have people got so carried away…wanting Oscars…it a bit worrying. It was at the best average…an exercise in technical achievement…
you’re right. Can’t believe how empty this film is. Apart from those technical enhanced images
Film completely lives up to the review. Still shaking my head over the effects and Bullock. Never really felt the hype of Kubrick’s 2001, but did not miss out on Gravity. Really hope it does not spiral into an industry transition to effects that ignores story and characters. It definitely sets the new standard for incorporating the three. Hopefully the custodians of the next star wars trilogy are paying attention.
I thought the movie was incredible. I had read a few of the reviews beforehand and was expecting a dynamite movie and wasn’t disappointed. Just one thing, I was sitting waiting for the movie to start and saw a family come in with children and I wondered, based on what I read, if this movie would be as good for children as I was sure it would be for adults. I forgot about that thought when the movie started. After the movie I heard some children, around the age of 12, say it was the worst movie they had ever seen. I wonder if anyone else had heard comments like this from children.
My 14 year old niece hated the movie. I thought it was stunning and moving, but she found it boring. Perhaps our children are no longer easily impressed, what with all their personal gadgets…
I think everyone should have to take a Film As Art class either in college, high school, what have you once in their lives. I’m a Communication graduate working in Broadcast, and my Film As Art class my freshman year of college was the most rewarding class I’ve ever taken. I’ve never been able to look at movies the same way since, and am grateful every time I see a movie for what that class and instructor taught me.
If you’re a child watching this movie, you’re not going to appreciate the nuanced acting and camera techniques. You’re just going to want to see animated giraffes falling off cliffs, or explosions and constant excitement.
People can knock this movie if they want. That’s why America is great, everyone is entitled to their own opinion; and not everyone is going to agree on any one thing. But my take away from this movie was it was spectacular, and I need to see it in IMAX.
Love the review and the movie! Take note as mentioned above, my adult daughter became sick with “motion sickness” as she watched and had to close here eyes through much of the movie! She didn’t like it at all, isolated case I suppose. I’m definitely going to see “Gravity” again tomorrow but this time in IMAX-3D!
Hey you guys, thanks so much for all the great, thoughtful feedback. As for the age question: A childhood friend brought his 11-year-old son, who said “Gravity” made him incredibly sad and he hated it. For what it’s worth …
I was an 11-year-old kid when I first saw “2001” in almost-overwhelming 70 millimeter…and “Gravity” is the only film since them to make me feel that I was in space with the movie’s characters. It manages to be slick and raw at the same time. Cuaron knows how to place you inside the action, as he did with “Children of Men,” and he gets good performances from actors. I wouldn’t have missed this movie and am glad it lived up to my expectations.
I took my 10-year old daughter to see it today and she loved it. There were a few frightening things, but she was truly mesmerized. I definitely recommend seeing it in an IMAX 3d theater.
A small point but I think this is the first film I have seen (other than 2001) that understood there is no sound in the vacuum of space. Silence as huge destruction occurs just behind a character, hearing the sound of automated tools only through the reverberation that would occur inside a space suit, are just a few examples. The coolest was when they repressurize inside a capsule with a warning bell going off. It starts off silent but as the atmosphere is pressurized the warning bell gradually becomes audible. This small bit of physics which most filmmakers choose to ignore did a lot to heighten the realism.
Wow! Thank you for that insight. I never thought about that realistic element while I was watching it. I think the visual and emotional journey is so rich that I didn’t even take notice.
No, Brian. 2001: A Space Odyssey had sequences in outer space with no sound. Gravity is by no means the first movie.
Speechless. Christy, you nailed it. As did they. I’ve dreamed of being in space since I could walk. This movie confirmed everything I thought it would be like and more. Indistinguishable from the IMAX on-orbit films. And I still want to go. Sandra Bullock has shown that she can do a rare thing – act with nearly no others on screen and convince us of who her character is.
Have heard that SB was not in the top five choices (at least) of actors favored/approached for this role. For that reason alone, I really hopes she takes home some iron in March.
Sorry, Christy. But I could not disagree with you more about Gravity. The “hype” is exactly what is not justified. And you only contribute to it by coming to the conclusion that this is best movie you’ve seen to date in 2013.
You’re not being critical and if you’re looking for a great film about drama in outer space then go re-rent or dust off your old copy of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Now there’s a space drama that’s not a Hollywood piece of contrived film making like Gravity. By the way, Christy, in case you didn’t know, there is no sound in space. But I guess the filmmakers forget that because there was a continuous soundtrack in Gravity that made a complete farce out of the idea that space is empty of sound.
My review:
http://bgordonconsulting.com/gravity-movie-review-2001-space-odyssey/
Byron: I disagree with your assessment of “Gravity,” but I read your review and you certainly make some interesting points. Personally, I loved the film, but I appreciate dissenting viewpoints such as yours and am grateful for your input. I must say, though, I have two issues with your comment on this blog and your review in general:
1.) Your comments about movie critics, particularly Christy, come across as somewhat condescending, not to mention inaccurate. How is Christy “not being critical” by praising a film she genuinely thought was excellent? A critic’s job is to review a product and provide his or her honest opinion. It appears you are confusing the terms “criticism” and “negative criticism” – they are not one and the same. You spend a substantial amount of time praising “2001: A Space Odyssey” (in my opinion, the greatest film ever made) – but would you read Roger Ebert’s “Great Movies” essay on the film and tell him he wasn’t “being critical” because he considers it a masterpiece?
2.) Your criticism of the film’s soundtrack is a little confusing. You are correct, of course, that there is no sound in space, in the sense that, were one to expose one’s naked ear to the vacuum of space, you would not “hear” anything at all (except, perhaps, the sound of oxygen being sucked out of your brain as you slowly asphyxiated to death, but that’s beside the point). As far as I could tell, “Gravity” was pretty accurate on this point. The only sounds I recall hearing were from interiors (inside the characters’ spacesuits, the space stations/spacecraft, etc.).
But, again, you seem to be conflating two different terms here – “soundtrack” and “musical score.” You clearly find the film’s musical score distracting and unnecessary, which is your right as a viewer, but you seem to be suggesting that the lack of audible sound in space means that the film should have no musical score. Just to be clear here – the sound of satellite debris crashing into a spacecraft is a SOUND EFFECT. The sound of an orchestra playing music designed to accompany the onscreen action is a MUSICAL SCORE. Maybe I’m misreading your comments, but it’s as if you’re implying that, when the score swells up, we’re supposed to believe that a real-life orchestra is actually floating out there in space with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, plucking away at their instruments. I’m sure this isn’t what you meant, but it kind of reads that way.
Maybe, on the soundtrack/score issue, you’re just suggesting that a film which takes place in space and purports to be scientifically accurate in regards to the lack of sound in space should not have any musical score at all. In which case, you’ll have to go back to your beloved “2001” and edit out all instances of “The Blue Danube” and “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” won’t you??
Fantastic. This has been the best thing I’ve read online in quite a while. I read it in my mind with a very sarcastic “wiggly finger” tone. Pure genius.
David,
All I can tell you is that when you advertise a movie about space, saying there is no sound in space, you expect not to watch a film with no “sound” in space. As far as I’m concerned, the film failed. I never once felt like I was in outer space, other than the camera work which at times made me feel nauseous. As far as sound or soundtrack or musical score, yes, it was obvious when in 2001 there was a musical score being played. But as far as sound in space, there was none. As far as I’m concerned, Gravity did feature sound in space and I just felt it was artificially inserted by the filmmaker.
As far as Christy’s review of Gravity, she “hyped” just like so many other critics who fell in love with the movie and were unable to remain objective about where this film fell short. And this film did fall short.
We’ll have to agree to disagree.
A bunch of fancy CGI with no real substance; typical big budget dross. I didn’t even care if Sandra Bullock’s character died or not, because there’s no character development. George Clooney’s unflinching charm isn’t appropriate in what is supposed to be a doomed situation. The dialog (when it happened) was contrived. It was a huge disappointment, mediocre at best.
Aaron, Byron and Snob…. I completely agree with you… utter waste of time…. I am truly amazed with the 3D effects but definitely not the movie!!!!! Only worth watching if you like 3Deffects n the star cast! Nuthin else impacts the mind other than these 2 things. Seems more like a one n a half hr advertisement for promoting 3D effects and for promoting Imax theatres!..would make more sense if it were a based-on-true-life event… or even a documentary.
Thanks for agreeing with me, Tina.
HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE
Anybody that wasn’t utterly taken back and strapped into their seat and feeling like the 4th astraunot in GRAVITY. Obviously did not see the same film as I did! This movie is groundbreaking and utterly spectacular! I can even use the word “MASTERPIECE” when talking about this film! I found myselft completly immersed in the beauty and aw of what was before my eyes! I was on board for the ride from the first opening frame! This film propels the audience emediatetly into the situation at hand without all the typical back on earth back story action that usually takes place in scifi films! We are emediatetly floating in space and within minutes feel like we are fighting for our own lives along with Sandra bullock and George clooney. Both who do a spectacular job. Sandra especially carrying most of this film gives a performance of a life time. I left the theater emotionally drained and weeping! The combination of groundbreaking technical effects stunning camera work and Oscar winning acting left me in aw of what I had just witnessed and experienced!
This movie was a huge waste of time. Listening to Sandra breathing heavy, huffing and puffing for 45 Minutes was too much for me to handle.
I still cant believe what i just saw… such purity of intention (more than a movie its an allegory), such perfection in the execution (save for some minor details that could have been cut off).
The only thing i can say is that i just witnessed a is true masterpiece.
My wife and I went to see the movie on the basis of a very positive review in the New York Times. On balance, we were quite disappointed. Certainly, the 3-D effects are superb, and mostly realistic, with the exception of the very large amount of space junk flying by. (Junk from an explosion would dissipate very rapidly in the vastness of space.) What was most disappointing was the overall feeling of coldness and emptiness in the movie. Certainly that’s true of space in a physical sense, but in the movie this was also true in an emotional sense. The human story line seemed perfunctory, almost obligatory. Unconvincing.
Are you a paid shill for Warner Brothers?
I don’t the hype.
The characters were never developed enough to be anything more than Bullock and Clooney playing themselves.
The main crux of the movie where Clooney is separated from Bullock was a complete ignorance of physics. Both of them were stopped by the cordage wrapped around her leg, there was no gravity pulling Clooney putting tension on her, Bullock could simply have pulled Clooney oh so gently toward herself and he would of simply floated toward her.
As a “space geek” and sci-fi nerd, I love movies about space (Star Trek, Star Wars, Firefly, etc.) but more for the drama of humans dealing with extraordinary technology, alien cultures or extreme environments. What a treasure to find a film that respects the true physics of space while still delivering an amazing human story. With any movie, there is a necessary amount of “suspension of disbelief” since it is a work of fiction and the circumstances are ginned up for dramatic effect. In the case of Gravity, the scenario is one that could be happening in my own time, in my own sky. The characters are not aliens or future-humans but people from my own time. The action, though unlikely, represents possibilities and the film treats the action with respect to the physics involved. The cinematography and art direction is breathtaking. The subtlety of the performances were top rate as well. I was swept along for the ride not distracted at all by any of the items cited by others.
I understand the viewing and enjoyment of movies is a very subjective affair. I was not sure Sandra Bullock was the best choice for this role but she had me from the beginning. I loved every minute of this film and will see it again on as big a screen as I can find.
Thank you for the great review of this fantastic movie!
Saw it last night and this movie will be stuck in my mind forever. I did not read your review before I attended a showing and as I read your review today I found myself reliving the movie…it is hard for me to say if that was due to your talent as a reviewer or that the fact that the movie itself had indelibly etched scenes and memories and emotions in my mind. I cannot think about this movie without finding myself shaking and going through the same emotions I did while watching it.
This movie is certainly worthy of every accolade that has been given it.
I’m really curious about this comment “not enough character development.” What exactly are you looking for? Hamlet’s soliloquy? Their thoughts on the relevance of existentialism in a post-modern age? This movie is about pure survival in the void of space. We get just enough background to understand and care about the characters. Any more exposition would take the focus off the survival theme.
I’ve seen the movie twice now. Once in 2D on a huge screen and once in 3D on a smaller screen. Between the two I strongly recommend the larger screen experience. I don’t feel 3D added anything more.
I currently own a 32 inch tube TV which has served me well enough. But when I buy the DVD of Gravity I may just have to spurge and buy a 60 inch flat screen. There’s no other way to do it justice. What a brilliant movie!
I watched the movie with an expectation that it’s going to be a boring. But I was dead wrong, the movie had me deep into the character. It forced me to wonder, how are you going to get back to earth? Are you going die in space? Can you get in the Soyuz? Wow, it’s the first time that I felt so lonely watching a movie.
Finally while watching, I asked myself how on earth you make weightlessness so real. I even thought that they put the cameramen in space to shoot the view of the earth, because it’s so real. IMHO it’s the best space movie that I’d ever watched.
This movie is all about survival. If you have never felt your life threatened and never pondered your moment of dying, perhaps this movie can be difficult for you to appreciate. But instead of taking for granted all the effort that went into making it, I suggest you think of the possibility that “I don’t really know what death is.” Life and death are inseparable and this movie teaches us that to think about life is also to think about death. To understand life is to understand death. But only the brave and the mature can get here. So let us be grateful for all the work into this movie that makes us think more deeply about life by not being preoccupied with the repetitive cycle of everyday mundane life. Thank you for the creation of this movie. I appreciate the deeper message behind it all. I wish we could meet with the writers/producers.
You want to see a more captivating film about survival? Go watch 120 hours. Now there’s a movie without great fanfare and it is superbly acted and directed. Forget Gravity. It’s a space movie for gravity masturbators.
Bita, I love your comment and you are so right! This is such a powerful and profound film in every way. It is a stunning visual masterpiece, and is also eye opening in its morals and how important it is to let go of ego and just live in the moment. Ryan Stone goes from hyper-ventilating in absolute panic in the beginning, to laughing out loud with joy and acceptance by the end! Death is just an illusion, it is actually transformation. When we die, we go back into the creative force. I love the image of Ryan Stone floating like a fetus in the womb, cradled in the very fabric of space itself. The movie is deeply spiritual without being religious. It is a very bitter-sweet tale as well, exploring both the beauty and the dread of space exploration. Gravity was the most engaging, awe inspiring, and intimate space film I have ever seen. It gave me a very deep appreciation for this wondrous and beautiful world that we live on. As an astronaut, I do not think I would ever get sick of looking down at our planet! I am so happy Gravity won 7 Oscars, it deserved every single one. Every frame of this film was a visual stunner, with the most realistic and mind-boggling effects ever created. The story of survival was universal and timeless. It has been a long time since I have experienced a film that affected me as deeply as Gravity. It is a cinematic masterpiece on every level!
In the movie universe of space movies, Gravity instantaneously moved into my Top 5 of all time. Among my top 5, I’ve never been able to put that particular list in order because I’ve like them all for different reasons and the fluidity of my interest keeps them constantly changing. Bullock and Clooney are so perfect for their roles. Clooney, the relaxed, easygoing, experienced senior astronaut while Bullock playing the role of novice, rookie, sometimes negative perfectionist who exudes natural ability while experiencing the angst of wanting to succeed surrounded by an emotional debris field of normal human fears in the face of new experiences. Amazing that such a huge chunk of the movie could involve randomly floating space debris, both inside and outside the spaceship. For me, the most improbable scene in a sea of improbable scenes is that her return craft could land her close enough to actually swim to an island teeming with life. Still, aren’t all space movies, in the end improbable. Even knowing in my heart that she was going to survive, I sat tensed on the edge of my seat. The chemistry between Bullock and Clooney is real, and the tightly wound tension reflected in her face and voice give credence to the movie. I was entertained and left knowing that if I were, at 64, offered a chance to go into space, I would do it without a moments hesitation.
Jon,
I just saw Gravity for the first time on HBO. This movie was absolutely horrible. You must live a pretty shity life if you found that shit at all watchable. Do us all a favor and never review movies. Your not very good at it.
I think people who saw the movie in the theater seems to like more than people that see it on their tv or computer. With that being said, I saw it on my computer and I thought although the affects might be good, I couldn’t get over the script. I thought it was good not great.
It was nothing more than a later day “Perils of Pauline”