Rating of
3.5/4
Gravity Will Pull You in and Won't Let Go
Chris Kavan - wrote on 10/13/13
Gravity is one of those rare films that needs to be seen in theaters. The visuals alone are worth it - and, for the first time since Avatar, I believe this is a film that also works best in 3D (I didn't see it in IMAX, but if you have the means it would be highly recommended). But visuals alone aren't the only thing the film has going for it - including a spectacular performance from Sandra Bullock, who gives the film an emotional punch to go along with the effects.
I admit, when I first saw the trailer for Gravity I wasn't exactly sure how director Alfonso Cuarón was going to make a full-length feature about an accident in space. But, I also knew Cuarón had impressed me with Children of Men so I thought if anyone could pull this off, it would be him. I shouldn't have had any doubts at all. What starts off as a routine space mission (installing some new equipment on the Hubble) - complete with a jetpack equipped George Clooney trying to come up with a new story to tell mission command - quickly turns into a harrowing tale of survival when Russia destroys one of its own satellites in orbit that quickly cascades as the debris takes out other satellites and it on a collision course with the ship.
Bullock spinning through the darkness of space is only the first of many near-death encounters the film has to offer. In fact - you could say they tried to come up with as many ways to die (in space) as they could. The film makes a not-so-subtle allusion of rebirth - Bullock's character is still reeling from the death of a child and herself appears on the verge of falling apart. But throughout the film we see her turn from a meek, scared woman into someone who wants to survive - and she will do anything to get back home.
Bullock turns in a performance worthy of an Oscar as far as I'm concerned. The film is mainly a one-woman show (aside from Clooney, who turns in pretty much a supporting role here). The emotion is not just conveyed by her words, but everything from her physical performance to her breathing shapes the role - and she goes into it full force. I can't think of how much work went into this role - the demands of a harness, that space suit - and just the sheer emotion. So far it's probably the best performance I have seen on the big screen this year.
That aside, the visuals are absolutely amazing. Professionals are having fun picking apart the implausibilities, but for my money this depicts one of the most realistic visions of space I have seen. In terms of keeping you invested - you will be on the edge of your seat a lot. As I said, the 3D only enhances this - as it really makes you feel like you experiencing this adventure right along with the characters. There is a lot of first-person action going on (it might unnerve some, but I found it thrilling) and it simply is an immersive experience.
The only thing that prevents me from giving this a perfect score is that the rebirth motif is a bit heavy-handed and the sheer amount of cliched space disaster scenes they throw at you. The movie is just a bit smarter than it thinks it is and I think it might not hold up to repeat viewings - especially when seen at home on the small screen. That aside, this is fantastic on the big screen.
