A film review by: Ben Hayle, NMTV
Acclaimed director Alfanso Cuarón is on the top of his game with his new film Gravity. Besides just directing the film Cuarón also co-wrote, co-produced, and co-edited Gravity, a unique film in which only two actors ever appear on screen. But, when those two actors happen to be Sandra Bullock and George Clooney it doesn’t feel like any other characters are needed.
Gravity is set in space as Dr. Ryan Stone(Bullock) is on her first shuttle mission while astronaut Matt Kowalski(Clooney) is enjoying his last mission as a shuttle commander. During a spacewalk to repair the Hubble space telescope the astronauts are giving a sudden order from mission control to abort the mission and return to the shuttle. A debris cloud is moving through space from a botched attempt by the Russians to destroy one of their own satellites. As Stone and Kowlaski attempt to return to the shuttle the debris cloud destroys the shuttle and kills the rest of the crew. Stone and Kowlaski are stranded in space, with limited oxygen and only Kowlaski’s thruster pack to maneuver.
There are many elements of Gravity that are top notch. All great movies start with an incredible story and Gravity is no different. The story is intense, thrilling, and emotional. With only two characters the audience is taken deep into the lives of Stone and Kowalski. Cuarón is able to bring these to characters to life on the screen so the audience can genuinely engage with them and truly feel what the characters are experiencing during the film. The story of Gravity is an immersing experience that takes the audience right into space with the characters.
Aside from the story the audience gets that immersed feeling from the amazing cinematography and visual effects. I had the pleasure of experiencing Gravity in an IMAX 3D theatre and it was one of the most visually fascinating films I have ever seen. The use of 3D technology enables Cuarón is fully display the beauty of space. In particular Cuarón periodically takes the camera and audience inside the helmet of Stone’s space suit. I felt like I was drifting in space right along with Bullock and that feeling only enhanced the tension that Cuarón builds throughout the film. That tension comes to a head through several intense action scenes that are filled with amazing visual effects.
Gravity is a visual masterpiece and uses 3D technology to only enhance the experience that combined with great performances by Clooney and Bullock, a great script, a strong musical score, and a director at the top of his game make Gravity a sure fire Oscar contender.
5 out of 5 stars.
