Gravity

The hype for Gravity reminded me a lot of that which surrounded Avatar a few years ago. Everyone was talking about the 3D technology that accompanied the film. But those of us who follow movies closely have been told for years now how unnecessary 3D is. Gravity isn’t made by its 3D technology but it is a pretty cool implementation of it. The film has Sandra Bullock playing an engineer, and George Clooney is an astronaut, attempting to survive an accident in space. It’s enough to expel those childhood dreams of going to space, that’s for sure.

Director Alfonso Cuaron creates an incredible look at space that seems an accurate representation. I have never been, so I can’t confirm that. The look is so convincing in fact, when Bullock is spinning uncontrollably through space, the viewer feels that claustrophobia. When Clooney can’t move through open space, the viewer clings to the floor beneath them a bit more. Rarely have we seen a movie that has such an all-encompassing feel that brings the audience into the story with them. I mean, I even felt cold throughout the entire movie. But maybe that was just the drafty movie theater.

Bullock is the prominent figure in the movie with a vulnerable fish out of water performance. Clooney exudes the confidence of an astronaut in his element, but Bullock gives off the sense that her situation is how any of us common folk would feel in this disaster situation. Gravity is an emotional ride with an accessible presentation that gives it the rare feat of appealing to film purists and interesting the masses. So maybe I won’t ever go to space, but at least this movie told me what it’s actually like. I didn’t see a single Wookie in there.

Each film earns either zero, a half or a full arrow in five categories. The categories are Acting, Writing/Directing, Emotion, Innovation and Overall Impression. The arrows are added up to equal the full score.