Very Dramatic and Panoramic, but also Factually Incorrect, with an Absurd Opening Scenario

Rating: 6/10 (14 December 2013)

This is a pretty film and exciting. But it ends there. It's based on Hollywood hype and the public's ignorance of science.
First, the initial absurdity was Russia blasting an old satellite with a missile creating a deadly high speed debris field while its own space station was being manned with its people and the Americans out there working on the Hubble Telescope. The Russians aren't stupid enough to endanger lives of crew members in that way,which invalidates the entire film since there would have been no disaster.
Second, their was absolutely no reason for Clooney to untether himself from Bullock and then float off in the opposite direction. He and Bullock, both being tethered together and at one point to the space station would be traveling in the same direction and speed as the station. All he had to do was make slight tug or forward movement and he would have headed into the station.
Third, and the comic relief of the film, is Bullock trying to crash learn how to crash land the re entry capsule from first Russian and then Chinese instruction manuals on how to fly a spaceship. This strained all believability.
Going back to the beginning, Sandra Bullock'a character would not be suitable either in training or emotionally for this astronaut position.
Finally, all such space craft are built for possible sea landings, with the hatch on top so they can't fill with water when opened. Bullock never checks this out and opens the hatch immediately, causing the capsule to sink. But then, she wasn't properly qualified, was she?
Oh, and I couldn't understand why Bullock couldn't make radio contact with Earth through using several different radios.
Aside from all this, the needless small talk from Clooney while the pair are floating in space is absurd and a waste of air. Again, this is a beautifully shot film, but you have to suspend disbelief. The shocking thing is most people seem to believe it.