A masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (11 September 2013)

I had a chance to see Gravity at TIFF last Monday. Now, English isn't my first language and I've never felt secure enough to write on IMDb, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone for Gravity. The reason is twofold: First, I've always been very grateful to those few, who watch a movie before the others and provide helpful reviews - now I can try to do the same. Second, I absolutely loved the movie and although I spoke about it to everyone who would listen, I feel like I need a bigger portal to express my overwhelming emotions.
This review contains some minor and major spoilers, so read on at your own risk. FYI: I wasn't able to hide them, but the paragraphs containing major spoilers were clearly marked.
Gravity is a visually stunning masterpiece that got me engaged and interested from the very first minutes. It builds up at a perfect pace - we get to know the characters and the mission, while watching the incredible view on the background. I'd heard the movie was shot using some new technology and since I was too busy or lazy to do my research, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was a little worried that the filmmakers might have been tempted to go overboard and the space/earth would look too cartoonish. I was so happy it didn't happen. The movie is shot in 3D and the tricks you normally see in movies that are shot in 3D (e.g.a bird flying directly at you, etc.) aren't overused. Still, you feel like you're are in there - gliding in the space, spinning out of control... I even felt sick to my stomach at one point, I kid you not!
Anyways, the movie cunningly draws you in for the first fifteen minutes or so and then the crash happens - the Russians accidentally destroy their own satellite, causing the chain reaction. The debris of many broken satellites approaches Explorer at an incredible speed and smashes into the ship and its crew. I'm not a space scientist and I really do hope they had some very bright consultants, who are. I would hate to learn that this wonderful journey and the breathtaking fight for survival could not possibly happen in the space. I want everything to be perfectly correct, down to the tiniest details, because they all did seem to have been thoroughly thought through. What do you think was floating in the Russian station? A chess piece! How about the Chinese station? Yes, you guessed right - a ping pong racket! :) I wonder what would we see in the US station... hm... :)
I expected a grand visual spectacle but I didn't know that Gravity would also be an emotional roller coaster. There are several heartwrenching scenes masterfully scattered throughout the movie.
*** Warning: major spoilers start below ***
When I was watching slowly distancing Kowalsky and listening to his assuring voice I couldn't hold my tears back. A scene with Stone's desperate plea and Kowalsky's stubborn silence was so subtly selfless and courageous.
When Kowalsky came back... I knew he wasn't really there from the very beginning. I knew it because, right before he appeared, I could clearly see Stone's breath coming out of her mouth in the bitter cold, and a minute later the vapour was gone. It was hard to believe, that there would be such an obvious continuity error in this major scene of the movie hailed by everybody. But I wanted him to be there, I wanted him to be there so bad! But when he wasn't, I reluctantly thought: good! it would have ruined the movie.
And when Kowalski was keeping silent to prevent Stone from embarking into the doomed rescue mission, I wish she thanked him for saving her life. Or she could have said something humorous just the way he would have liked. She knew he was listening. :(
*** Warning: major spoilers are done ***
I didn't like Stone's back story too much though. I guess, they thought they needed it to show her personal development and explain the reason for some of her actions. But it didn't work for me. It would probably have been OK for some other movies, but at that point I expected nothing short of extraordinary from Gravity. I think they could have come up with something more creative, something more original.
However, regardless of minor flaws that you might find, go, see Gravity when it opens. I've seen some love or hate movies, but I think this will be love or like one. Even if you don't care for the story and the acting, just sit back, relax, turn off your brain and mindlessly watch the amazing visuals, it'll still be worth of the admission price.