I Can't Stop Thinking About It!

Rating: 8/10 (5 October 2013)

I went to see this movie last night at our local theatre and it was my first 3D experience.
I don't usually like sci-fi or space films. They are generally bleak and difficult to follow. This one was simple to follow. A team of 3 astronauts are doing rather mundane tasks when they are told by mission control that some space junk is speeding in their direction. The lead character played by Sandra Bullock is not well, and appears depressed but she is getting her job done when the news of space shrapnel arrives. George Clooney is a seasoned astronaut who admires the majesty of space but treats it like it's another day at the office. His calm is vital for diffusing the life threatening events. I don't want to write any more about the plot than that as it would spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet.
Bullock's character Ryan Stone is a woman who has all but given up on life. She doesn't see the beauty of her surroundings and isn't sure she even cares if she lives or dies. She will have to make that decision multiple times throughout this film.
This movie must be seen in a theatre. I cannot imagine that it would have the same impact at home on a small screen. The sound is outstanding. There are moments of complete silence - like one would experience in the vacuum of space. The visuals of earth in the distance are so realistic you might believe the movie was actually shot on location. This is as close as most of us will ever get to space travel but instead of being fun - it's terrifying! I would agree wholeheartedly with Ryan Stone when she says "I hate space!" See this movie.
Don't go to the theatre expecting Gravity to contain a lot of plot or dialogue. Suspend any disbelief about technicalities. Just enjoy it for the audio and visual masterpiece that this film undoubtedly is.