Don't Let Go

Rating: 8/10 (30 October 2013)

This review contains mild spoilers
Gravity follows Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), a medical-engineer on her first space shuttle mission which is headed by veteran astronaut, Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney). As the two are on a space walk, debris hits their shuttle, and soon the pair finds themselves detached from their ship and stranded in space.
Acting: 9/10
The acting is amazing.
Sandra Bullock gives a fantastic performance as the film's main protagonist Dr. Ryan Stone. This is definitely her journey, as she discovers that if she is to survive, she must learn to let go of her past. Many of the film's best moments focus on her character developing into a survivor reminiscent of Ripley, and it's in these moments that she shines. I wouldn't be surprised if she nabs an Oscar nomination.
Clooney is delightfully charming as Kowalski, who is on his final trip to space after a long and successful career as an astronaut. A confident and reassuring presence throughout the film, his character summons most, if not all of the comic-relief, which is much needed after most of the film's thrilling action sequences.
Script: 8/10
While arguably the film's weakest link, Alfonso and Jonas Cuarón script is VERY well crafted. The dialogue is compelling through and through and it only really stumbles while nearing the perhaps a bit overly-dramatic end. The story itself is a simple, yet effective tale of (once again) learning let go of the past in order to have a life worth living in the future. What makes the script better than what you'd get in your average blockbuster, is the way the Curaóns manage to humanize our main character, the way they make us empathize with her, which makes the experience all the more emotional and therefore better. Even better is the metaphoric rebirth Dr. Stone goes through over the course of the movie, starting out as emotionally repressed woman, trying to get away from her tragic past, and coming out as a heroine, prepared to do anything to survive.
Direction: 10/10
Alfonso Cuarón ones again proves that he is a master of his craft. The film's 17-minute opening shot is a perfect example of this, as the camera seamlessly floats around our protagonists providing us with a perfect calm before the storm. What follows... well let's just say that Cuarón manages to keep us on the very edge of our seat. He also paces the movie brilliantly, always giving us a few moments to catch our breath after all the action, before it hits us again. Film buffs will probably spend hours analyzing the multiple symbolisms that each scene offers (some more subtle than others), as the film is rich with those.
Visual Effects: 10/10
Perhaps I should start by saying that for the first time ever, we have been presented with a movie that effortlessly showcases space as it is, an endless abyss of claustrophobia and silence. The visual effects artists have done a phenomenal job at giving us a frighteningly realistic look at what space is really like, making it the definitive cinematic experience of the year. The 3D is also put to a great use, giving the visuals an extra layer of depth, while almost avoiding the "Look we're throwing-stuff at your-face! gimmick altogether.
Score: 10/10
A truly great score makes you forget that you are watching movie. It takes you to that other place and adds a dimension to the film. Without it, the film will lose everything. Steven Price delivers a perfect score that enables us to feel the weightlessness of space. He also enables us to feel the terror of a moment we cannot prevent. By the end, we feel the triumph of the human spirit and truly appreciate gravity.
Overall: 9/10 An extraordinary showcase of visual effects mixed with top-notch acting and a spell-binding score, I find myself agreeing with Mr. Cameron.
Gravity is the best space movie ever done.