Gravity (2013)

 The following is a review for Gravity (2013).

Gravity tells the story of medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock), and astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney) as they work together and try to survive an accident that has left them lost in space. This is Dr. Stone's first shuttle mission, while it's Kowalsky's last flight before retiring.

 

A routine spacewalk turns into a disaster. After receiving word that a satellite has crashed, debris strikes through destroying the shuttle and leaving Stone and Kowalsky on their own. With more debris on the way and little oxygen remaining, they need to quickly find a way to safety.

Gravity is a technical masterpiece. From the visuals, to the sound, to the directing, everything is virtually perfect. We really get a sense of what it's like to be in space and the loneliness that goes with it. We really feel the same sense of helplessness these characters feel. 

Sandra Bullock absolutely kills it as Ryan Stone. It's easily the best performance of her career surpassing her Oscar win for The Blind Side. Dr. Stone is alone most of the film as she fights to survive and find help. So it's basically a one man show and she carries the whole film.

Gravity is definitely a great film but my problem with it was that the story didn't quite match up with the amazing visuals. Overall, it's a pretty simple story about someone trying to survive, but there isn't much story or conflict beyond that.


The film starts with these characters in space. Everything happens so fast so there's no real character development or reasons to root for these characters. We don't even really know who they are so there isn't enough emotion to go with it. I didn't feel as connected to the characters as I should have.

Still, Gravity is a great movie and one of the years best. I just didn't relate to it as much as some and didn't think it was as great as the critics made it out to be.

(7.5/10)