Gravity
3.5/4
Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, and the voice of Ed Harris
Rated PG-13 for Intense Perilous Sequences, Some Disturbing Images and Brief Strong Language
"Gravity" is both beautiful and intense. It demands to be seen on as big of a screen as possible, and for once, in 3D. The images that Alfonso Cuaron, with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, has created are a feast for the eyes and need to be seen on as big of a screen as possible.
Medical Engineer Ryan Stone (Bullock) and astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) are repairing a satellite orbiting Earth. Then an explosion from a Russian anti-satellite test causes debris that rips through their ship, leaving them stranded. They must fight against impossible odds to make it back to Earth alive.
It's an impressive premise and Cuaron exploits it as much as he can. This is a visually dazzling and intense thriller of the first order. As soon as one crisis is solved, another begins.
There's really only one performance, and that's Bullock. Ryan is out on her first mission and is in over her head. She's been trained for situations like this, but nothing prepares you for it (and it doesn't help that she failed some of the simulations). Bullock gives a good performance, but for some reason she doesn't have much presence or appeal here. That's odd, considering her screen appeal is one of her best qualities. George Clooney doesn't have a lot of screen time, but it is one of his best performances. Matt is a calming presence amidst the chaos.
Unfortunately, the film is emotionally cold, and the plot features one deus ex machina. A movie this intelligent and beautiful doesn't need to resort to those kinds of cheats. The narrative can be confusing at times as well.
For Alfonso Cuaron, this is a triumph of direction. This is one of the most beautifully made films to come along in a while. And while Cuaron does showcase the setting (Earth has never looked so good), it doesn't come at the expense of tension. There are times when the film is very intense and suspenseful.
I think 3.5/4 is a little high (although a simple 3/4 is too low) for this film, but I applaud it's ambition and its willingness to take chances. Putting an $80 million film on the shoulders of one character is a risky proposition (although the teaming of Bullock, Clooney and Cuaron clearly soothed Warner Brothers fears), and it pays off. The fact that it's not a biopic, based on a novel no one read, a remake/sequel or based on a comic book gives it an air of freshness.
This is definitely a movie to see, but you must see it in IMAX 3D.
Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, and the voice of Ed Harris
Rated PG-13 for Intense Perilous Sequences, Some Disturbing Images and Brief Strong Language
"Gravity" is both beautiful and intense. It demands to be seen on as big of a screen as possible, and for once, in 3D. The images that Alfonso Cuaron, with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, has created are a feast for the eyes and need to be seen on as big of a screen as possible.
Medical Engineer Ryan Stone (Bullock) and astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) are repairing a satellite orbiting Earth. Then an explosion from a Russian anti-satellite test causes debris that rips through their ship, leaving them stranded. They must fight against impossible odds to make it back to Earth alive.
It's an impressive premise and Cuaron exploits it as much as he can. This is a visually dazzling and intense thriller of the first order. As soon as one crisis is solved, another begins.
There's really only one performance, and that's Bullock. Ryan is out on her first mission and is in over her head. She's been trained for situations like this, but nothing prepares you for it (and it doesn't help that she failed some of the simulations). Bullock gives a good performance, but for some reason she doesn't have much presence or appeal here. That's odd, considering her screen appeal is one of her best qualities. George Clooney doesn't have a lot of screen time, but it is one of his best performances. Matt is a calming presence amidst the chaos.
Unfortunately, the film is emotionally cold, and the plot features one deus ex machina. A movie this intelligent and beautiful doesn't need to resort to those kinds of cheats. The narrative can be confusing at times as well.
For Alfonso Cuaron, this is a triumph of direction. This is one of the most beautifully made films to come along in a while. And while Cuaron does showcase the setting (Earth has never looked so good), it doesn't come at the expense of tension. There are times when the film is very intense and suspenseful.
I think 3.5/4 is a little high (although a simple 3/4 is too low) for this film, but I applaud it's ambition and its willingness to take chances. Putting an $80 million film on the shoulders of one character is a risky proposition (although the teaming of Bullock, Clooney and Cuaron clearly soothed Warner Brothers fears), and it pays off. The fact that it's not a biopic, based on a novel no one read, a remake/sequel or based on a comic book gives it an air of freshness.
This is definitely a movie to see, but you must see it in IMAX 3D.
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