Today’s quick review: Gravity. A collision with a storm of debris leaves Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Lt. Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) as the sole survivors of a mission to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. Alone in space with no contact with the surface, Ryan and Matt must use their limited fuel and oxygen to make their way to the International Space Station, their only hope of making it back to Earth.
Gravity is a tense survival thriller set in orbit around Earth. Gravity boasts top-notch cinematography, a talented cast, effective drama, and an engrossing plot that doesn’t outstay its welcome. Even though it has no speculative elements, the movie evokes the feel of hard science fiction. Its realistic space setting and focus on rational problem-solving make it an excellent watch for fans of the serious side of the sci-fi genre.
Gravity is a technically impressive movie. It paints a vivid portrait of space that captures both the setting’s terror and its grandeur. Gravity’s camerawork does as much to sell the setting as any of the visual effects. The film’s innovations include drifting camera shots that last for minutes at a time and well-chosen use of first-person. The film also pays close attention to its sound, capturing the isolation of space in countless subtle ways.
The technical aspects of Gravity are backed by a solid script and two strong leads. The plot never deviates from its initial premise. But within the framework of a survival movie, Gravity delivers plenty of twists and challenges. The plot builds on itself nicely, from the flailing first moments after the impact to the resourceful maneuvers made by Ryan and Matt later on. The result is a short but satisfying film that’s packed with tension.
The characters also pull their weight. Sandra Bullock stars as Ryan Stone, a scientist on her first space flight. George Clooney plays opposite her as Matt Kowalski, a seasoned astronaut who guides her through the steps she needs to take to survive. Between Matt’s calm confidence and Ryan’s burgeoning resolve, Gravity has plenty of raw material to craft the personal side of its story.
Fans of hard sci-fi and drama alike will get their money’s worth from Gravity. Its rock-solid execution, visual spectacle, and emotional core make it an unusually rewarding watch. Those looking for a broader or more speculative story should look elsewhere. For a far-reaching space epic, check out Interstellar. For another realistic tale of survival in space, check out The Martian. For fanciful, action-packed sci-fi, check out Armageddon.
7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for impressive execution of a tense, rewarding story.