Director Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity stars Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone, a scientist on a space shuttle mission headed by astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney), a talkative, charismatic leader full of colorful stories that he shares with his crewmates as well as mission control. As the two are on a space walk, debris hits the area where they are working, and soon the pair finds themselves detached from their ship and stranded in space. While figuring out what steps they can take to save themselves ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Cast: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney.
Release Date: Oct 04, 2013 RealD 3D, IMAX
Rated PG-13 for intense perilous sequences, some disturbing images and brief strong language
Runtime: 1 hr. 31 min.
Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review:
The story in Gravity is something most movie going audiences have seen before in movies like Open Water or even Cast Away. It’s simply a man vs. nature survival story elevated by impressive visual and excellent performances by the two main leads. Your enjoyment of the film maybe helped or hindered by your enjoyment of Clooney and Bullock. Clooney is at his charismatic best in limited screen time but the bulk of the heavy lifting is done by Bullock. She delivers an impressive performance throughout while working through a full range of emotions as the film progresses. If something hinders performance it’s mainly due to the script which gives us two rather pedestrian characters. That’s not to say they are terribly by any stretch of the imagination but they are basic. Mix that with some not so subtle themes (rebirth, acceptance of things you can’t control) and it can get a tad heavy handed. It not a massive misstep but it’s there. Honestly though, the story isn’t the main draw here, it’s Alfonso Cuarón’s technical acumen which impresses me more and more with each passing film. Cuarón has created a visual wonderland / thrill ride which utilizes 3D (see it in IMAX if you can) in amazing ways. The opening sequence is a technical marvel which feels like a weightless wonderfully choreographed 10 minute + ride into space. The action sequences and even the quieter moments deliver the kind of helpless but thrilling experience that the characters are going through. Gravity is the type of film that has to be seen on the big screen and in 3D to fully appreciate it.
A-
A movie that needs to be seen on the big screen. Mainly IMAX, if you got the cash flow. Regardless, it's still a great movie that I had minor faults with. Good review Dan.
ReplyDeleteI agree, some minor faults but an incredibly enjoyable big screen experience.
DeleteExcellent and honest review. I'm not a Man v Nature fan myself unless there are multiple personalities to clash. That's why I did not like Open Water or Castaway. I was bored with both films to be honest. I'm nt all that interested in Gravity, but this is the first honest, non-hyping review I've read.
ReplyDeleteThank Melissa, the story isn't up to the level of the technical side but is still strong. If you don't like these kind of stories I don't think it'll change your mind since there's not conflict between the leads.
Deleteyes, must be seen in IMAX. that felt like you were there with her.
ReplyDeleteLiterally put you in their shoes, really amazing feat.
DeleteThis looks to be a must watch in the theaters.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, Daniel.
B2B.
Very much a big screen experience....
DeleteAgain with an early review. You're really on point with that.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to see this one since I saw the first teaser trailer, and now I'm hearing nothing but good things. Great review, and well-written. I will hopefully see it this weekend.
Thank man, I thought it was a very strong film all around.
DeleteSounds interesting. I suppose the movie is significantly better than the screaming Sandra Bullock trailer made it appear to be.
ReplyDelete-James
There's more to it but if you don't like them then you might hate this movie.
DeleteGreat review, Daniel!
ReplyDeleteEasily the most impressed that I have been in a theater in a while. Saw it in IMAX 3D and sat almost dead center of the theater...was completely transported.
Really one of the best movie going experiences in a long while.
DeleteHi Daniel! Cast Away and Open Water are the two movies that came to my mind when i first saw the trailer. I thought that it would be realistic enough like Open Water, so I was disappointed.
ReplyDeleteNice review!
I've read you review and I can't argue with your points, I did find parts of it cheesy and overdone but for me it still worked very well on the big screen.
DeleteI love me some man vs. nature film, but not if done in such a way where the main character almost gets reborn in the end. Also, couldn't do anything with the characters, especially Bullock's.
ReplyDeleteI gotcha man, if the themes don't matter it'll kind of drain the experience.
DeleteI'd give it an A- too. Loved Gravity, cheesiness and all :) I didn't see it in 3D though, because that almost always ruins a film for me (the only time it was acceptable was when I saw Life of Pi).
ReplyDeleteIt is rather over the top with it's message but I thought it was done well enough.
DeleteI agree, Bullock’s performance would have been better if the script did not make her so incompetent. I am sure that real life astronauts are better prepared before doing something like that. The visual and sound effects were nearly perfected though. Everything looked fantastic! The characters and the story were lacking, so I never felt attached to them at any point. Good review Daniel!
ReplyDelete-James