Source: http://i.space.com/images/i/000/031/137/i02/gravity-movie-poster-closeup.jpg?1374687221
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron and starring George Clooney & Sandra Bullock in lead roles, Gravity is a space science fiction thriller. With its interesting trailers and intriguing premise, it has been in the news for quite a while. Does it work? Let’s check it out.
Dr Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is on her first space mission aboard the Space Shuttle Explorer while Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) is commanding his final expedition. He tests the operation of the space shuttle. But during the final spacewalk, both of them are informed by the Mission Control in Houston that debris from a Russian strike on a defunct satellite is about to hit them. Before they can react, the debris strikes the Explorer and Stone begins to tumble into space. The rest of the flick deals with how Stone and Kowalski tackle the physical as well as mental challenges to travel back safely to Earth.
The flick has quite a different concept. The entire story is based in space so much so that you literally feel you are flying with the astronauts. Whether its the feeling of weightlessness or the moment when the astronauts keep tumbling in spirals, one can literally feel the chills of losing onself in the vast expanse of outer space.
Gravity is slow in terms of pace. But it takes you to a world much above the Earth where you begin to lose yourself. The cinematographer seems to have gone for long shots which literally display millions of miles of wilderness with not an object in sight. Alfonso has used themes of survival in the face of all odds, courage, the willpower to live and the likes to take the story forward and keep the viewers interested.
The flick constantly shifts between conversations between the lead pair, the troubles they face and the vast empty dark expanse of outer space. It contrasts the proceedings quite beautifully. The background score and the cinematography brilliantly complement the theme of the movie. The makers seem to have made a lot of effort in recreating outer space.
Negatives? The only one in my opinion would be the fact that the director seems to have exaggerated certain laws of Physics. But that’s more than understandable since its a movie after all.
Though George Clooney doesn’t have much of a role, he does a pretty fair job. Sandra Bullock is the heart and soul of the movie. She beautifully portrays all the emotions which she goes through. Whether its remembering the death of her daughter or knowing that she wouldn’t survive, Bullock essays her part with elan.
All in all, an awesome flick!
Rating – 4/5
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