Visually Dazzling, But Slack on Emotional Impact

Rating: 5/10 (22 April 2014)

3.5/5
Gravity gives us some of the most impressive visuals ever put on screen. It is also mostly accurate to the rules of space like there being no sound when debris collides with the space shuttle. We are pulled into space itself and it is a magical experience. What really brings us in is some impressive camera work as well, like showing the astronauts' perspective of what's going on in front of them, and hearing their loud breaths. Everything is fully detailed and at its place as far as sound, visuals and mostly accuracy. If there are any flaws in accuracy, mostly only astronomers would be able to tell. It won't bother anything at all to how impressively well done everything is.
The movie is pretty thrilling as well. The visuals create some very realistic disaster situations that don't go over the top to coincidences, but what can really happen in space, a fragile place that can be disastrous to mankind. It does a great job at showing that.
The problem however is the emotional depth the movie is and sometimes the direction it goes. It is sometimes is too busy with the visuals that it doesn't give much time for character development. There are emotional scenes that are supposed to be gripping and compelling, but they aren't really compelling unless we have a backstory that is somewhat interesting. It is kind of effective in a way, but the movie works much better if it was a more visual wonder than emotional, like 2001 A Space Odyssey. The story was not about a certain character, but mankind itself and it told its story through visuals, not emotion or dialogue. Gravity tried to do both, but too be honest, they should have just stuck to more of a visual approach or give us some interesting character background. The story is obviously about a character surviving. Let us get to know her more!
If only the emotional backstory was more compelling I would be happy to be with the crowd of saying it's one of the best films of the year. But I would say it's a good movie, but not a great one. People will go to theatres expecting a visual wonder. For the most part it succeeds, but the emotional parts will distract you. But I guess people just want more eye candy and if they do, this is for them. Still I can recommend this for the thrills, and visual wonder it creates to the screen. Gravity is a tense, and very thrilling visual experience that is well shot and paced.