The perils of space travel

Rating: 9/10 (15 November 2013)

Gravity was one of the anticipated films of 2013 and for good reason, it was the return of Alfonso Cuaron in the director's chair after a seven year break.
Orbiting the Earth is the Explorer Space Shuttle is orbiting the world when space debris, destroying the shuttle and leaving only two survivors, Lt. Matt Kowalski, a veteran on his last mission and Dr. Ryan Stone, a mission specialist on her first mission. Stranded in the middle of space the pair try to make it to the International Space Station as their oxygen and fuel is running low as the debris speeds around the world every 90 minutes.
Gravity is a film that gets everything right, a tort script, fantastic visuals and great performances from Bullock and Clooney. Cuaron really does give us a visual extravaganza, showing the beauty of space and the world with the depths of space and the zero gravity enhanced by 3D effects, some of the best put to film. Curaron continues his use of long takes and tracking shoots which I am a sucker for, and due to the space setting there was no limitation and helped keep the flow of the acting.
Gravity tells a simple story, but it is beautifully told. Cuaron is able to make the film compelling, thrilling film as we follow the astronauts in their struggle and we get to find out about them during the film. Dr Stone grows from a woman who was already nervous about her mission to someone who has to grow as she fights for survival. Despite the simple story Cuaron was able to add style toughs with looks of religious icons, adding subtext to the film.
Cuaron gets the tone right throughout film, from when to be exciting with the full force of the special effects and when to be more tender or tragic and the very occasional moments of humour, all increased by Bullock's performance. It was very reminiscence to Duncan Jones' Moon. Steve Price also supplies a fantastic score for the film and it is one of the best of the year.
Gravity is an excellent film, working on the story and characters, to visual spender and gripping action spectacle as it shares themes of the perils of space travel to Moon, Sunshine and Apollo 13.