Gravity is a movie from Alfonso Cuaron, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. In this movie, Alfonso Cuaron carries us in a little bubble between a science fiction movie and a thriller. Gravity is a good mix between the two of them, and that’s what makes this film so original.
The story is about the first expedition in space of doctor Ryan Stone, a brilliant expert in medical engineering. She is under the responsibility of the astronaut Matt Kowalsky, a genial and funny space veteran. What was supposed to be a normal and common trip in space changed into a gigantic disaster. In fact, following some changes on the shuttle, the two astronauts find themselves separated and floating in space. Stone and Kowalsky are alone and completely lost in space. The deafening silence surrounding them, shows our two protagonists that not only are they lost but they have also lost all contact with the earth. Between panic, crying, anxiety and with only each other as support, our two heroes will have to do everything in their powers to come back on earth.
The premise of the film seems pretty simple at first: two astronauts lost in space. So yeah, I was pretty reserved when I went to see this movie. It turned out to be the exact opposite. Gravity really takes us somewhere else. You do not feel like you are still in your cinema seat. 10 minutes after the movie ended, I still felt like I was in space with the characters. I was a little bit dizzy and disturbed. Alfonso Cuaron achieved the challenge of transforming a basic storyline into a really exciting story.
The success of this movie lies particulary in its images. The beauty of the images has to be noted. Images of the earth for example, are breathtaking. Also, I saw this movie in 3D and I thought it was amazing. Really well done, for a change. I’m not always excited about a 3D movie. With Gravity, I don’t think it would have had the same effect if i had seen it only in 2D. The effects that the 3D obtains are really magical. You really feel like you are in space with Ryan and Matt. You feel their distress and their loneliness. You are with them. It’s a very real 3D image of pure human pain. The moment when Ryan cries in zero-gravity, with real tears floating away from her face ; it is a heartstopping spectacle.
Since its release, many voices of various specialists emerged to say that the science involved in Gravity is just wrong. But that doesn’t really matter. It just feels right. We feel that all of this is right. It’s happening right here and right now. Usually, this type of movie is more turned towards science fiction with crazy creatures and wacky stories. Gravity is much less a science fiction movie and much more directed towards a thriller. This is why this is so absorbing. We live with the characters in situations that seem pretty realistic.
Gravity is a brilliant and inspired movie. The quite simple idea of the story combined with amazing visual effects keeps you interested during all the film. You do not feel the time passing and that, I think, is the most important thing when you’re in a cinema.