Gravity Reviews

This is by far the best movie I have seen thus far in 2013. Cuaron does an amazing job directing, Bullock puts on the performance of her career and the visuals are something to marvel at. This movie is one that needs to be experienced in 3D or IMAX, but what an experience it is! It is easy to get lost in the realism of the story and the incredible visuals. This film is a must-see.

Boys and girls get ready for a thrilling, edge-of-your seat experience when you press play on this title. Acting was very good, and the visuals (3D) are among some of the best to ever grace the big screen. Sure some liberties were taken with the space station placement, among other things, but the action captures your attention so well that these are of little consequence. The end result is a (literally) breathtaking experience that will make you yearn for more, and also have you wishing that more big Hollywood films were produced in the Gravity mold.

Pulse-pounding sound design, gut-wrenching performances, and visually masterful, "Gravity" is one of the more surprisingly beautiful films of 2013. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney both deliver superb performances and if Bullock does not get a nomination there is something seriously wrong. Right from the films opening shot you feel like you truly are up in space with these characters as you learn many things about their backstories. As things continue to create obstacles as they are about to journey back home, the films intensity increases in every way, creating an experience like no other. This film must be seen in 3D to get the full experience. You feel really alive watching this film and the sound will pull you in and make you hold your breath. The cinematography definitely deserves a nod here as well as the direction. "Gravity" is absolutely fantastic!

A truly awesome, visual feast about two astronauts (George Clooney, Sandra Bullock), who are separated from their ship after a massive debris storm sends them spiraling into space, and how the two try to find a way back to not just the ship, but to earth as well. Although Clooney is given top billing from marketing reasons most likely, this movie is really Bullock's show, and she shines with limited dialogue and having to do a lot of acting with her facial movements. This film is not just a visual masterpiece, but it has a story to it as well, as well as two very likable characters, especially Bullock's who has a painful back story and is challenged to find the will to survive despite suffering a devastating tragedy. It has been too long since we last had an Alfonso Cuaron film ("Children of Men" is also a phenomenal accomplishment that should be seen, made in 2006), but all that waiting for his next film has resulted in one of the greatest achievements in sci-fi films ever. It is an exhausting film that successfully makes its viewer feel like they are the astronauts floating in space and grasping for life. Truly a masterstroke that will be talked about for years to come.

Alfonso Cuaron floats around with Gravity.It is quite amazing what can be done with a 90 minute story and 2 characters carrying it 99% of the way. The story grips in its first 10 minutes, and while slightly loosening in the final act, it never unhooks the tether until the closing credits.Visually, this picture is spectacular. The setting with the Earth backdrop is out of this world and the A+ grade cinematography is award winning in its own right. This is one way to handle a film with minimal characters.Sandra Bullock and George Clooney get it together in all the right places and all the long takes, creating believable characters worth following as the story progresses.Gravity fires the thrusters when needed and is a recommendable film on Earth and in space.

'Gravity'. If cinema is about the moving image, this embodies it to its fullest. Like nothing I've seen. Cuaron and Lubezki are gods.

That 17 minute long take I'd heard about a year ago lived up to all the hype and then some. Direction and cinematography of the highest caliber!

Sandra Bullock is VERY good. The script takes liberties, but delivers emotionally a surprising number of times. Totally floored. Demands to be seen in IMAX 3D.

Cuarón does not seem to grasp the 3D technology that well nor is he always able to stick to the basic rules that he established for his own universe, but he overcomes these few flaws with astounding visuals, wonderful long shots and claustrophobic scenes to put us on the very edge of our seats.

Alfonso Cuarón's "Gravity" is astounding achievement, an enthrallingly beautiful film that raises the watermark for big budget filmmaking and never sacrifices emotional resonance for computer generated bombast. Like "Mad Max" or "Jaws," it should be seen on the widest screen possible or not at all. Its power wouldn't properly translate to a 55 inch HD TV or worse yet, a 4 inch smart phone display. It truly is a cinematic event.

Following two astronauts on a mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope that goes horrifically wrong, the film opens simply but effectively with a shot of Earth majestically hanging in space. Our planet looks stunning but seeing it from such a distant perspective evokes a kind of subtle anxiety. Before everything goes catastrophically wrong, we are made to understand that space is vast and immutable and the safety home is impossibly far away. The idea is further driven home in a scene where Sandra Bullock's mildly depressed Dr. Ryan Stone absent-mindedly drops a screw, momentarily forgetting that once something is lost in space, it's gone forever.

Not everything in "Gravity" is satisfyingly underplayed as that sequence. The film's dialogue, written by Cuarón and his son Jonás, is painfully on the nose and often completely unnecessary. And as with his "Children of Men," Cuarón underlines the importance of belief through religious iconography a bit too obviously. This is likely due to the film's prolonged preproduction phase wherein a number of high-profile actors and actresses were attached to it only to bow out as scheduling conflicts arose. Without a clear idea of who his leads would be, Cuarón chose to make his script as generic and unambiguous as possible to ensure his themes would get through irrespective of his eventually cast. Such are the perils of $80 million filmmaking.

Thankfully Cuarón found a strong lead in Sandra Bullock, a good actress who has quietly built a respectable resume by turning down roles as some anonymous action hero's screaming wife. And though she's turned in quality work before, "Gravity" is Bullock's finest hour. She has to not only be the human core of special effects driven film but is also the only character on-screen for the majority of its running time. A lesser performer would have been swallowed up by the film's infinite vistas and sparse narrative (e.g. Suraj Sharma in "Life of Pi") but Bullock keeps the focus on her struggle for survival against the desolate vacuum and there never comes a point when you forget that what are you watching is deeply human story.

Cuarón has already proven himself to be as supremely talented a cinematic stylist as Michael Bay, David Fincher and James Cameron but with "Gravity" he does his peers one better by using his visuals devices in service of telling his story as opposing to straining against it. By subtlety shifting from a third-person to a first-person perspective and filling the screen with verisimilitudic detail, Cuarón and his brilliant cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki slowly take the viewer from uninvolved observer to active participant. With every frozen tear drop and fogged up helmet, Cuarón makes his world a real place to the extent that when a bunch of satellite debris came rushing at Stone, I wasn't worried about her being chopped in half, I was terrifying of shrapnel tearing into my own flesh.

The film's strength lies with Cuarón's restraint. He doesn't use 3D as a bludgeon; he uses it as a lazar. Coupled with some of year's best sound design and an incredibly tense soundtrack by Steven Price, Cuarón used what has largely been a gimmick format to craft a bold new cinematic experience. In that way, "Gravity" is almost as exhilarating a landmark as it is film. It's exciting to consider what will follow in its wake, to ponder what visionary filmmakers like Terrence Malick and Chris Nolan will take from the film and to see if its bravura visual storytelling will rouse some competitiveness in a sleeping titan like Steven Spielberg. More than that though "Gravity" restores the faith, that all of the cinematic art form's masterpieces haven't already been made and that it is still possible for a true artist to make an adult and rich film within the increasing commodified studio system.

Holyyyy smokes. Never have I seen something as visually awesome as Gravity. It would be impossible to fully describe how amazing this movie was as a whole. I saw the film the first day it came out (today) and my only regret was that I saw it in regular 2D. If you are reading this and you haven't seen it yet, don't make the same mistake and pay the extra couple of bucks to see it in 3D or IMAX. Before the movie is out of theaters i'd like to go back and watch it in IMAX so that I can truly max this movie out. All I have left to say is that it is really going to be a long time until we see another film with this type of cinematographic quality. Off to bed now.....current status = blown away.

Pretty much one of the most impressive visual spectacles you could ever see in a movie theater. It was INTENSE!

Alfonso Cuaron's space thriller about disaster striking three astronauts during a space walk is unlike anything you've seen on the big screen before. It starts with a 17 minutes sequence shot that puts you right there in the middle of things, turning the audience into a witness in close proximity to events that turn from zen-like calm to horrific mayhem within seconds. Of course it helps if you have no problems spending 90 minutes really close to Sandra Bullock, who may deliver the performance of her career here, despite of being a rather unusual choice. In fact, she entirely disappears behind her character, a modern day Ellen Ripley if you want, just without the xenomorphs to fight. It's also refreshing to see a film that relies on its audience's intelligence and concentration without spelling out each decision or explanation for them.
How scientifically accurate this film really is will be up to experts to decide. As a viewer the protagonists' struggle for survival will keep you on the edge of your seat for 90 minutes, torn between the awe-inspiring beauty of space and unspeakable terror of getting lost up there. The cinematography pulls all tricks imaginable to create an experience hard to forget. Accordingly, 3D fulfills a real purpose here. With everyone involved in the making of this film being at the top of their game the result is a real game-changer, a visually, artistically and technically breathtaking masterpiece that will stand the test of time, maybe even opens up an entirely new genre. It should most certainly be seen on the biggest screen you can find.

While it tends to hit audiences over the head with heavy-handed metaphors and existential meditations, the achievement that is "Gravity" can not be slowed by those defects. Cuaron's film is awe-inspiring at a visual level, and the director continues his journey to make his film's as immersive as possible. "Gravity" will leave you breathless not simply because of how beautiful it is, but because it puts you so completely into the mindset of Bullock's character that you literally feel what she feels as she struggles to survive in total, terrifying emptiness.

Gravity is masterful in every term. Its one of the most intense and visually beautiful films ever made and it is destined to put director Alfonso Cuarón in line with some of the best directors of the current age. Sandra Bullock is phenomenal and George Clooney gives a great performance as well. This film is filmmaking in its most epic and beautiful craft.

I may be in the minority here, but I was underwhelmed by Gravity. While director Alfonso Cuaron crafts a film that is visually stunning, with some of the best editing in a film this year, the film's second and third acts often times try to find an awkward balance between thriller and character drama and don't really do either very well. Additionally, Sandra Bullock's character is a bit dull and not very emotionally deep (or when she is, it is cliche), and the climax of the film is not only rushed, but also extremely cliche. I would recommend seeing Gravity for the visuals, but as a satisfying narrative, it seriously fails.

Passion projects are held very dear by their creators sometime showing their deepest of passion for their chosen professions. Not every filmmaker will receive a chance to make their dream film. It doesn't matter on the talent behind the camera proven by Stanley Kubrick (among other things) failed to gain financing for his passion project Napoleon and sometimes when such projects are released they can garner mix reactions from audiences. Martin Scorsese "Gangs of New York" is an excellent example some considering it to be on par with his best work while others consider it among his weakest. Gravity is the opposite where the visionary passion is not shared equally to all its components.

Gravity follows a medical engineer and an astronaut working together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift in space. The film plot is the textbook definition of simple. The basic premise never developed beyond its own archetypes for the purpose of its metaphor meaning. Simplicity is not overly negative with it central theme about survival being enough to relate and engage. A consistent problem is the plot using templates without building a foundation to structurally hold it together. Take the character Ryan Stone for example is given the basics development of a mother who lost her daughter in an attempt to make her human. This is as far the plot goes to developing any of its characters. Never emotionally investing in these archetypes only seeing them as a caricature of emotions. Another favorite among the film narrative devices are conveniences turned plot devices. Plot conveniences is so crucial that the writers would hit a dead end if wasn't for this narrative device. Debris flying through space hits it cue every single time whenever Ryan is close to an air lock in order to create conflict in a non conflict scenario. Manufacturing suspense that a no point feels natural. Situations that could build upon the protagonist mindset during her journey are quickly resolved. It's all tied together by set pieces with no elevating story component to hold them together. Characters take a back seat in a story that clearly put in mind first on the technical side instead of treating it as an equal.

On the technical side the film is a marvelous achievement. Mostly CG filled the film looks life like seamlessly blending with live action. It's fully capable of emulating being an astronaut in space with scenes that make visible to thousands of tiny particle debris and stars with lightning that naturally contrast or is removed realistically. It's capable of immersing the viewer and putting them directly in that scenario even without an attachment towards the character. Several sequences on the ISS (International Space Station) will leave you awe struck as it capabilities to create seamlessly fabricated computer images with organic human interaction. The downfall of the technology is director Alfonso Cuaron usage of it as a narrative tool. Heavy handled images will leave viewer little to decipher discovering the meaning of the whole journey before reaching the credits. Alfonso Cuaron is not afraid to let the scenery speak for itself or to let the actors portray their emotions in mannerisms holding the story together under a visionary whose not sure how to tell it.

Sandra Bullock is natural, poised, and fully engulfed. She rallies an emotional connection from the audience despite the script weak characterization has given her. Making a manufactured archetypes feel human. George Clooney utilizes his wit and charm to be a lighter force of our dark tale, and is a perfect balance to Bullock's frantic demeanor. Steven Price's musical work that can border generic blockbuster territory is tenderly utilized and precisely executed, building up lots of affectionate tones. Editing is seamless and some of the best ever put onto to film. Every scene structure together feels natural allowing viewers to take in the scope of space and clearly get a feel of every set piece taking place in real time.

Gravity is a technical achievement to be admired with a lesser plot competent that serves nothing else other than to showcase it technical achievement. It's a clear case of just enough substance to justify it focus on visuals galore. It will take you to space like no film, but without an attachment for those experiencing it for themselves it some majesty is lost.

Gravity in 3D:
The film's 3D is hardly noticeable. It doesn't enhance any scenes to absorb the viewer further in the depth of space. Instead the 3D only highlight specific objects to appear bigger. 3D effects here are similar to looking up in the sky on a sunny day and seeing a leaf slowly fall down to the ground. Distorting the image creating the task of attempting to view everything on the same level.

I can honestly say that Gravity is unlike anything I have ever seen. The visuals are incredible, Sandra Bullock's performance is award-worthy, and I was literally gasping for air right along with her. Absolutely amazing movie experience you have to see on the big screen. I never do, but for this one I want to go back and watch it in IMAX 3-D!

The film is unbelievable. One of the best films, I have seen this year. Congrats to Alfonso Cuaron. He does an amazing directing job here. He makes the audience feel like they are right there with Sandra going through this catastrophe. I didn't see it in 3D, but would love to see it again in 3D. The film kind of felt like a movie that Ridley Scott would have made. The cinematography, the special effects, and the music score were amazing. There was one scene in the film, that reminded me of a scene in the movie, Mission to Mars.

Sandra Bullock gives an Oscar worthy performance here. I wouldn't be surprised if she wins the Best Actress Oscar for a 2nd time for her performance in this film. This is Sandra at her best. George Clooney is great here too. George provides the humor that is needed in the film. He has a great on screen chemistry with Sandra. I totally forgot about his last space film, Solaris.

I definitely recommend this film. You should check it out in 3D and IMAX 3D.

There were tears of sadness, tears of joy, and tears induced from the sheer intensity of "Gravity". Director Alfonso Cuaron has crafted a masterpiece in every sense of the word; this is a real triumph and a modern classic.