Gravity: Cuaron has topped himself

Rating: 10/10 (26 October 2013)

There are very few directors with a reputation like that of Alfonso Cuaron. He is one of those directors who doesn't really put out content very often, like maybe once every two or three years, but when he does make a film, it's just...wow. And yet, with Gravity, Cuaron has SOMEHOW managed to top himself.
To those who are well-versed on Cuaron's films and his style, you know that Children of Men is his other big science-fiction film (besides Harry Potter, with which Cuaron was just jumping in to fill shoes previously occupied by Chris Columbus, so he couldn't really use his traditional long- shot style too frequently). With Children of Men, he was able to use his style very frequently, establishing himself as a director who knows how to use the camera and how to utilize mise en scene to its fullest extent.
Let's get back to Gravity though. It has been a solid 5 hours since I stepped out of that theatre, literally screaming at the people in front of me who were saying "I mean I didn't really like it," and things of that nature, and I am still in a state of shock. Gravity takes you out of your seat, and puts you into space with Ryan Stone and Matt Kowalski, two astronauts, a newbie and a retiring veteran, who stare death in the face as they tumble away from their destroyed shuttle into the unknown. Their struggle for survival becomes your struggle to breathe as they overcome an obstacle only to find another and another and another. You may ask yourself, "Where can the story possibly go from here?" Believe me, I asked myself that question as well. You will never want to slap yourself in the face more than the moment you realize how much more can and does happen.
Never before has a movie been so visually and emotionally encompassing. From that opening 17 minute shot to the final cut to black, you won't know what to do with yourself besides gasp for oxygen and hold on for dear life (as they do). And I've been limiting my film nerdiness in this review as much as possible but THAT OPENING 17 MINUTE SHOT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I HAVE EVER SEEN WITH MY OWN TWO EYES I CAN'T EVEN DEAL WITH THE GLORY AND THE SOUND DESIGN AND THE VISUAL EFFECTS AND THE CINEMATOGRAPHY AND JUST EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. My freak out for this review. it should be the last.
Go see Gravity. Advisable to see it in IMAX 3D; it is well worth the extra few dollars. Previously my favorite science fiction film was Cuaron's Children of Men. Now, it is Gravity.