Gravity

GRAVITY

Director : Alfonso Cuaron

Year : 2013

Genre : Thriller

Rating : *****

Directed with efficiency and terrifying precision by Spanish director Alfonso Cuaron, 'Gravity' not only boasts some of the most impressive and awe inspiring visuals I have ever seen, but it also showcases what the now old hat gimmick of 3D can actually do. Immersing us in the endless and overwhelming void of space, 'Gravity' puts us right in the centre of the most dangerous and lifeless environment possible and throws in a heart racing, adrenaline fueled narrative that is by far one of the most nerve racking I have seen all year. Featuring great performances from it's stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, 'Gravity' has everything that a masterpiece needs; stunning direction, superb acting and a plot that accesses all of our emotions and our fears. 

Bullock and Clooney play two astronauts who are thrown into utter chaos when the satellite they are working on is blasted by incoming debris from a distant disintegrating ship. Forced to abandon their post, both characters are soon sent spiraling uncontrollably into space when they separate themselves from the destroyed craft. With only a minimal amount of oxygen to keep them alive and a tiny jet pack to guide them through the inhospitable environment, both scientists must work together to access another satellite before they are consumed by the darkness that is all around them.

Alfonso Cuaron has a special knack of taking whatever genre he is working in and transforming it into something indelible and groundbreaking. Whether it be the dramatic brilliance of 'Y Tu Mama Tambien', the chilling bleakness of 'Children Of Men' or even a children's film like 'Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban', Cuaron takes ideas and scenarios beyond anything we have seen before and turns them into masterful works of art. However, not only does 'Gravity' change the way in which the genre is going to work from now on, but I truly believe that it will also change the way in which big budget special effects filled blockbusters are made in any genre from now on. To say that the computer generated effects are breathtaking is doing a great dishonour to the Academy Award worthy (and most probably winning) work from London based company Framestore who fill the length and breadth of the screen with magisterial imagery, stunning vistas and a terrifying agoraphobic atmosphere that had me frozen to my seat. Utilising points of view shots, extreme close ups and gaping extra wide framing to absolute precision, Cuaron places us right in the scene with both Bullock and Clooney and by doing this, we feel as if we are in the space suits of the astronauts rather than the actors themselves, increasing the already razor sharp tension instilled into us by the masterfully realised special effects and overwhelming air of vacuity and growing hopelessness. Much like the hugely under appreciated 'Open Water' did, 'Gravity' shows us that there is nothing scarier than the idea of being alone with no one around you for hundreds, maybe thousands of miles.

The 3D that both Cuaron and Framestore have created is by far the best I have ever seen. Unlike most movies where the stereoscopy is purely used as a gimmick (ooh, pointy pointy!), the director uses the 3D as the way it should be used and should only be used, to pull us into the movie and add to the experience of watching the picture in the first place. By engorging the screen out from it's flat surface, 'Gravity' leaps right into our eyes and in return, we are dragged out of our seats and into outer space with Clooney and Bullock. I would even go far as to say that something may be lost if you don't see 'Gravity' in 3D. 

When visual effects and 3D are used in film, the story and acting are usually sidetracked (yes, I'm looking at you 'Avatar'). However in the case of 'Gravity', not only are the effects completely perfect, but so are characters and the narrative. Sandra Bullock gives a note perfect performance as the central protagonist who finds herself in a situation that is too terrifying to comprehend. I am glad to say that this scenario has never happened before but Cuaron's direction is so focused and targeted that it feels like it could, quite easily. Many critics have complained about Bullock's performance, saying that her incessant screaming becomes very annoying and the character is barely developed but I could not disagree more. To me, Bullock plays one of the most utterly convincing characters I have seen in the cinema all year; as vulnerable and as scared as any person would be in this situation and the idea that someone could keep their cool when caught in this scenario would rob this or any movie of any established credibility or realism straight away. She is one of the best actresses working today and 'Gravity' only cements her place in the echelons of cinematic marvels. While not given as much to say or do, George Clooney is also very, very good as the other astronaut trapped in this terrifying circumstance and his charisma and positivism is a good contrast to Bullock's understandable terror and dread.

With special effects that blows 'Avatar's blue hippie cat people out of the water, 3D that puts all other 3D movies to shame and direction that rivals that of any film of 2013, 'Gravity' is an absolute wonder to behold. See it on the biggest screen possible, see it in 3D and enjoy the striking beauty and overwhelming trepidation that Alfonso Cuaron, Framestore, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney have created. It's not the best film of 2013, but it's pretty damn close.