Gravity is not a movie to be defied...

Rating: 10/10 (6 October 2013)

"Gravity" is the most intense and realistic spaceflight movie ever made
(Let that sink in a moment....)
I know that's a very bold statement, with both "2001" and "Apollo 13" to consider, but it's true. My wife and I had adrenaline coursing through my veins and four pairs of very white knuckles for the entire 90 minutes. It is insane. This one will redefine space movies for decades to come. If it weren't for Sandra Bullock's gripping and very human performance as mission payload specialist astronaut Ryan Stone (this is her "Cast Away"), it'd almost qualify as a NASA spaceflight simulator more than a motion picture. George Clooney costars as the seasoned shuttle commander Matt Kowalski who initially rescues Stone after a catastrophic collision in low earth orbit at the beginning of the movie obliterates their immediate ticket home (but make NO mistake; this is Bullock's movie and she utterly OWNS it). What could've been a standard issue rescue drama in space is given an entirely new angle due to Cuaron's 'you are there' impossibly personal camera angles and first person perspective given by the actors.
Director/co-writer Alfonso Cuaron is the new James Cameron. He and his son Jonas have succeeded in pulling off the exact PERFECT blend of thrill ride and character drama. The wonderful conceit of the movie is that despite her circumstances, Bullock's Stone is as wonderfully human and vulnerable as they come. But worry not, adventure fans; this is no 'chick flick.' Short of buying a $200,000 ticket from Virgin Galactic? This is as close as most of us will ever get to actual manned space flight.
There were a few things that were dramatized (different international manned space vehicles & communications satellites sharing the exact orbits, etc), but otherwise this is a movie with very little fat on its bones. The hardware, spacecraft and special FX are all meticulously rendered and are breathtaking. The details feel so right they're jaw-dropping.
Don't miss this movie (and preferably see it in IMAX and/or 3D if possible). And if you have a heart condition? Be careful. Very serious on that.
This is a SOLID ten. No ands/ifs/buts about it.
And this is not the usual post-movie buzz of endorphins talking; this one is REALLY that good. After I'm done 'decompressing,' I'd really like to see it again. But right now? I'm still holding my breath a little bit.