Gravity (2013) by The Critical Movie Critics

Movie Review: Gravity (2013)


Gravity (2013) by The Critical Movie Critics

Focus equals survival.

Gravity, Alfonso Cuarón’s explosive, white-knuckle sci-fi instant classic is a wonder to behold, with devastatingly realistic effects as a backdrop to a terrifying, compelling story and terrific work by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. It is both a concrete what-if story and a mesmerizing existential mindbender.

The U.S Space Shuttle Explorer is docked at the International Space Station (ISS). Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock, “The Heat“), on her first space mission, is installing an external device on the station that will enable astronomers to peer even deeper into space. Meanwhile, the mission commander Matt Kowalski (Clooney, “The Descendants“), on his final mission, merrily spacewalks in a jet pack; other crew members perform maintenance or communicate with Earth.

Then trouble strikes. Houston reports that the Russians have blown up one of their own satellites, hurling debris throughout Earth’s orbit. Before the crew can return to the shuttle and head back to Earth, the craft and the ISS are pounded with lots and lots of pieces of metal debris traveling at extreme speeds. The damage is extensive, setting off an odyssey for Dr. Stone that is both literal and figurative, as she must find a way to keep going and return back home.

There is hardly a moment of inaction. Stone and Kowalski veer from problem to problem, everything accentuated by the simple fact that they are completely alone up there, not even able to contact NASA for a reassuring voice. It’s a terrifying situation. Most of us might have a slight panic attack if we’re stranded on the side of the road without a cell phone. Now imagine being up in the heavens with no way to get down.

Emmanuel Lubezki’s dizzying camerawork serves two purposes: It provides us with Stone’s visual perspective — that of a novice — and it provides context for the disaster she and Kowalski find themselves in. If you think that the pictures from the Hubble telescope were beautiful, wait until you see these breathtaking visuals; they’re as stirring and evocative as the acting and story itself. And while I’ve noted before that 3D in movies — especially in darkened environments like outer space — is utterly needless and can often ruin the viewing experience (the 3D process actually removes light from scenes), it somehow works in Gravity. The technology is used so expertly here by the visual effects teams that whether we are approaching an object at high velocity or it is approaching us, we feel immersed in the scene, not distracted from it.

Gravity (2013) by The Critical Movie Critics

Lifeline lost.

As for the plot itself, I simply cannot delve into it any more other than to say Stone’s journey, as I alluded to earlier, becomes more than just a path back to the safety of Earth. She is grieving in her own profound way, having become a quiet, almost listless passenger in life. Her decisions and her proactive attitude not only bring her closer to survival but also to a healing of her mind. Bullock’s portrayal of this fractured character is definitely among her finest work — perhaps her greatest acting achievement to date.

But there is more to Gravity than just fantastic storytelling supported by arresting cinematography. There are plenty of heart-stopping moments in it that will satisfy even the most jaded of viewers and for the more astute there are plenty of twists that make guessing the outcome difficult. And although it may be too early for a movie to get serious award-season consideration, I’ll come out and say it right now: Gravity is one of the very best movies of the year.

Critical Movie Critic Rating:
5 Star Rating: Fantastic

5

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The Critical Movie Critics

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'Movie Review: Gravity (2013)' have 17 comments

  1. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 1, 2013 @ 8:42 pm Nara

    Incredible. So much praise for a minimalist picture.

    • The Critical Movie Critics

      October 2, 2013 @ 12:03 am BLambert

      I can’t figure it out, either. Aside from the visuals there really isn’t anything special about the movie. Clooney annoyingly prattles on and on, none of the physics make sense, Cuaron makes some quesitonable calls with the score and when you think about it its all about watching Bullock going from one physical point to another.

      • The Critical Movie Critics

        October 4, 2013 @ 3:38 pm ManicNun

        Painful is the dialogue.

  2. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 1, 2013 @ 8:50 pm deciburger

    I’ll be the first in line for the first showing Thursday night.

  3. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 1, 2013 @ 9:12 pm Aztec

    I’ve tried but I can’t take Sandra Bullock seriously as an actress.

    • The Critical Movie Critics

      October 5, 2013 @ 2:48 pm Plucky

      You are not alone.

  4. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 1, 2013 @ 9:54 pm FreeLance

    Brilliant film all around. Highly recommended.

  5. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 1, 2013 @ 11:30 pm Thorin

    Watch it on the biggest screen possible. It is a great looking movie and you want to be immersed in it.

    • The Critical Movie Critics

      October 2, 2013 @ 9:35 am pepsi

      IMAX was made for this film.

      • The Critical Movie Critics

        October 16, 2013 @ 6:02 pm WanderingDon

        So was 3D. I’ve never seen it used in a movie so well.

  6. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 4, 2013 @ 11:43 am Zaginn

    I’m going to see this a second time – I was mesmerized. There can be no question, it is the best movie of the year.

  7. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 4, 2013 @ 5:36 pm Worthmoore

    Didn’t live up the hype for me. It looks great but it falls short on nearly every other element.

  8. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 4, 2013 @ 9:46 pm Lani

    Great movie. Very suspenseful and very pretty.

  9. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 4, 2013 @ 10:04 pm ColdWetDog

    WOAH

  10. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 5, 2013 @ 11:52 am AliasInterval

    This is not Bullock’s or Cuaron’s finest work. She overacts and screeches to the point of being annoying more than anything else and Children of Men is his apex.

    • The Critical Movie Critics

      October 6, 2013 @ 8:15 am Orel

      Okay, Gravity may not be their finest work but it is fine work by both nonetheless.

  11. The Critical Movie Critics

    October 5, 2013 @ 6:37 pm Prime

    Good review of a very good movie.

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