What an utterly worthwhile experience this is

Rating: 9/10 (4 October 2013)

Like me you've probably pondered whether the planet might be better off without us humans. And maybe it would, but Sandra Bullock and director Alfonso Cuaron make a pretty good case for our having some redeeming qualities despite our usually reckless behavior. Early on in this movie I began to realize that there's no one I'd rather spacewalk with than Ms. Bullock, if only in 3-D IMAX. We're meant to care what happens to the lead, engineer Ryan Stone, and the movie focuses on and depends on that performance; I personally am convinced no other actress could have pulled this off like the endearing Ms. Bullock and I'd be very surprised if she wasn't nominated for an Academy Award.
This movie is a wonderful, old-style science fiction movie where ordinary dreamers like you and I get a chance to muse about the reality of being in space. I remember as a kid thinking up pretty much the same sort of not-so-simple adventure as here though not nearly in such detail. That our guides are Ms. Bullock and Mr. Clooney is just icing on the cake.
The earth looms below us throughout and it's made very clear how fragile life becomes away from it. Everything is about oxygen, electronics, and the ship, its fuel and its structural integrity. And one thing more, the daunting dynamics of moving in space play a very large and effective role here. Don't expect everything to be rock solid logical, there's at least one liberty taken, just enjoy the trip and you'll be very well rewarded. Any flaws amount to nothing compared to the soaring achievement of the movie itself as an unforgettable entertainment. For once it's unlikely you'll feel cheated being charged extra for either the IMAX or the 3-D, though I suspect those who see this movie without them will still feel quite well satisfied.