"Gravity" - directed by Alfonso Cuaron
Here's another movie that I wasn't too excited about until about two weeks before it was due to release.
The trailers that I had seen a couple of months back made it look a bit silly to me.
I told myself- 'Trust in Alfonso... he has never put you wrong before.'
Still- hearing Sandra Bullock in space screaming (something Ridley Scott assured us some years ago was not possible) didn't seem like a good way to spend a couple of hours in the cinema.
The change in mood came about because I kept hearing raves from the various International film festivals at which the movie played and I saw a behind the scenes feature about the film.
(see it right HERE)
The great Mexican director spoke of the film being an experience in sight and sound and of the length of time that he spent crafting this movie.
If Alfonso promised me this and spent years of his life delivering it I was not about to doubt him.
So I did the only thing to do - I bought tickets to the first IMAX 3D session that was doable.
Casting aside my doubts about the casting of Bullock- an actress and indeed a woman that I like a lot but don't rate very highly in terms of range or talent- I was pretty excited as I sat waiting for "Gravity" to start.
First things first....
To call this film a visual spectacle is akin to calling Grace Kelly somewhat attractive.
"Gravity" is simply astounding to look it.
Let's just put a word down on the page and see how it looks shall we?
Flawless.
Yep- perfect. That word works nicely.
The visual spectacle on display here is unlike anything that I have ever seen.
Sure, we've had "Avatar" and that was a terrific spectacle in itself.
There have been movies before that offered incredible visual experiences.
Each is its own thing and I don't directly want to compare "Gravity" to "The Return of the King", "Blade Runner", "2001: A Space Odyssey", "The Tree Of Life" or any number of other highly accomplished, visually impressive films but I will say that its name certainly belongs uttered in the same conversations as them.
Every aspect large and small has had attention lavished upon it.
The special effects are remarkable in their attention to detail.
Cinematography by the ridiculously talented Emmanuel Lubezki is unsurprisingly sublime.
This is the man who shot "Children of Men", "Sleepy Hollow", "The Tree Of Life" and "Bandits" amongst others.
When seeing a 3D movie I will usually give an opinion on whether it is important to see a film in this fashion.
I cannot imagine seeing "Gravity" in any other way than in 3D.
It is simply vital to the experience.
It has been quite some time since I flinched and audibly gasped at 3D objects emerging from the screen at my face but it happened tonight.
Sound is masterfully utilised too.
There are stretches of almost overwhelming noise but it is the time with little or no sound that makes just as much of an impact on the viewer- certainly this one.
Without a doubt this film is an experience.
Cuaron did not lie to us.
But I recently watched "Speed Racer" for the first time on blu-ray on a large HD TV and as visually striking as that film is it is also an absolute chore to sit through.
"Gravity" fortunately does two things right in avoiding such a result.
Firstly it doesn't outstay its welcome.
It runs a lean one hour and twenty three minutes if you don't count the end credits.
Secondly it is one of the most gripping, delightfully harrowing films that I have seen in quite some time.
The plot is as simple as you could possibly imagine.
This is just one big survival exercise for the astronauts at the centre of the events of this film.
And on the subject of the astronauts - any reservations from even the harshest critic of Sandra Bullock should be cast aside.
Her presence in "Gravity" is not to be merely tolerated - it is to be savoured.
She gives her all with this performance.
I often spot some acting crutches when watching her past performances.
She has the 'aw shucks' goofy look.
The down in the dumps but oh so cute frown.
With this movie she ditches such things in favour of a genuinely terrific performance.
One suspects that the Academy might be regretting rewarding her for her performance in "The Blind Side" because this one is infinitely better and truly deserving of such accolade.
Clooney is Clooney and that should in no way be considered a backhanded compliment.
As experienced astronaut Matt Kowalski he is effortlessly charming and that is exactly what is required of him.
This is Bullock's show though and she rises to the challenge superbly.
I wonder if some of the scenes late in the film are nods to Sigourney Weaver in "Alien" or Jane Fonda as "Barbarella"?
If not they do show off the best of what Hollywood's trainers, plastic surgeons and nutritionalists have to offer.
Bullock looks insanely fit for a woman who will be fifty in less than a year.
This is really a two person show with no one but Bullock and Clooney represented in any way other than vocally.
Ed Harris is a nice touch as the Mission Control man. It recalls his roles in both "The Right Stuff" and "Apollo 13".
Who else but Alfonso Cuaron could take such a simple premise so fraught with cinematic landmines and turn it into one of the tautest, most thrilling cinematic experiences in recent memory?
All potentially fatal bumps in the road are deftly avoided.
There is not a second of dullness.
The performances are exceptionally good.
Nothing comes off as silly or unrealistic.
(I am no space expert- not by a long shot- but if you want to hear the thoughts of someone who is check this article out but only once you've seen "Gravity")
Some back story is given to Bullock's oddly named Ryan Stone character but it fits well with the events in the film and rather than distracting it enriches both the character and the plot.
Of all the things that could have tipped the film over the edge into failure there is thankfully one thing above all that prevented it and that is the director himself.
Anyone who marveled at the long takes in his brilliant "Children of Men" or who considers "The Prisoner of Azkaban" to be the best Harry Potter movie (as I do) ain't seen nothin' yet.
This is Cuaron's high point to date.
"Gravity" is that rarest of beasts - a movie that begs to be seen on the biggest screen possible and in 3D.
This is a hell of a ride and it should be experienced in the best way possible- at least the first time.
For anyone living in Auckland I can think of only two ways to see this- IMAX on Queen Street or Hoyts Sylvia Park Xtreme Screen.
If you live anywhere near an IMAX screen I implore you to make the trip.
James Cameron himself this week called "Gravity" 'the best space movie ever done'.
He may well be right.
If he sees this as a throwing down of a challenge as he ramps up production on his Avatar sequels we are in for quite the treat in a couple of years.
IMAX and 3D were invented for movies like "Gravity" - at least I think so because I don't think that I have seen a movie quite like this before.
Truly tense, truly stunning and truly great.
The trailers that I had seen a couple of months back made it look a bit silly to me.
I told myself- 'Trust in Alfonso... he has never put you wrong before.'
Still- hearing Sandra Bullock in space screaming (something Ridley Scott assured us some years ago was not possible) didn't seem like a good way to spend a couple of hours in the cinema.
The change in mood came about because I kept hearing raves from the various International film festivals at which the movie played and I saw a behind the scenes feature about the film.
(see it right HERE)
The great Mexican director spoke of the film being an experience in sight and sound and of the length of time that he spent crafting this movie.
If Alfonso promised me this and spent years of his life delivering it I was not about to doubt him.
So I did the only thing to do - I bought tickets to the first IMAX 3D session that was doable.
Casting aside my doubts about the casting of Bullock- an actress and indeed a woman that I like a lot but don't rate very highly in terms of range or talent- I was pretty excited as I sat waiting for "Gravity" to start.
First things first....
To call this film a visual spectacle is akin to calling Grace Kelly somewhat attractive.
"Gravity" is simply astounding to look it.
Let's just put a word down on the page and see how it looks shall we?
Flawless.
Yep- perfect. That word works nicely.
The visual spectacle on display here is unlike anything that I have ever seen.
Sure, we've had "Avatar" and that was a terrific spectacle in itself.
There have been movies before that offered incredible visual experiences.
Each is its own thing and I don't directly want to compare "Gravity" to "The Return of the King", "Blade Runner", "2001: A Space Odyssey", "The Tree Of Life" or any number of other highly accomplished, visually impressive films but I will say that its name certainly belongs uttered in the same conversations as them.
Every aspect large and small has had attention lavished upon it.
The special effects are remarkable in their attention to detail.
Cinematography by the ridiculously talented Emmanuel Lubezki is unsurprisingly sublime.
This is the man who shot "Children of Men", "Sleepy Hollow", "The Tree Of Life" and "Bandits" amongst others.
When seeing a 3D movie I will usually give an opinion on whether it is important to see a film in this fashion.
I cannot imagine seeing "Gravity" in any other way than in 3D.
It is simply vital to the experience.
It has been quite some time since I flinched and audibly gasped at 3D objects emerging from the screen at my face but it happened tonight.
 |
| "Gravity" demands to be seen on the biggest screen available to you. IMAX and 3D were invented for this. |
There are stretches of almost overwhelming noise but it is the time with little or no sound that makes just as much of an impact on the viewer- certainly this one.
Without a doubt this film is an experience.
Cuaron did not lie to us.
But I recently watched "Speed Racer" for the first time on blu-ray on a large HD TV and as visually striking as that film is it is also an absolute chore to sit through.
"Gravity" fortunately does two things right in avoiding such a result.
Firstly it doesn't outstay its welcome.
It runs a lean one hour and twenty three minutes if you don't count the end credits.
Secondly it is one of the most gripping, delightfully harrowing films that I have seen in quite some time.
The plot is as simple as you could possibly imagine.
This is just one big survival exercise for the astronauts at the centre of the events of this film.
Her presence in "Gravity" is not to be merely tolerated - it is to be savoured.
She gives her all with this performance.
I often spot some acting crutches when watching her past performances.
She has the 'aw shucks' goofy look.
The down in the dumps but oh so cute frown.
With this movie she ditches such things in favour of a genuinely terrific performance.
One suspects that the Academy might be regretting rewarding her for her performance in "The Blind Side" because this one is infinitely better and truly deserving of such accolade.
Clooney is Clooney and that should in no way be considered a backhanded compliment.
As experienced astronaut Matt Kowalski he is effortlessly charming and that is exactly what is required of him.
This is Bullock's show though and she rises to the challenge superbly.
I wonder if some of the scenes late in the film are nods to Sigourney Weaver in "Alien" or Jane Fonda as "Barbarella"?
If not they do show off the best of what Hollywood's trainers, plastic surgeons and nutritionalists have to offer.
Bullock looks insanely fit for a woman who will be fifty in less than a year.
Ed Harris is a nice touch as the Mission Control man. It recalls his roles in both "The Right Stuff" and "Apollo 13".
Who else but Alfonso Cuaron could take such a simple premise so fraught with cinematic landmines and turn it into one of the tautest, most thrilling cinematic experiences in recent memory?
All potentially fatal bumps in the road are deftly avoided.
There is not a second of dullness.
The performances are exceptionally good.
Nothing comes off as silly or unrealistic.
(I am no space expert- not by a long shot- but if you want to hear the thoughts of someone who is check this article out but only once you've seen "Gravity")
Some back story is given to Bullock's oddly named Ryan Stone character but it fits well with the events in the film and rather than distracting it enriches both the character and the plot.
Of all the things that could have tipped the film over the edge into failure there is thankfully one thing above all that prevented it and that is the director himself.
Anyone who marveled at the long takes in his brilliant "Children of Men" or who considers "The Prisoner of Azkaban" to be the best Harry Potter movie (as I do) ain't seen nothin' yet.
This is Cuaron's high point to date.
"Gravity" is that rarest of beasts - a movie that begs to be seen on the biggest screen possible and in 3D.
This is a hell of a ride and it should be experienced in the best way possible- at least the first time.
For anyone living in Auckland I can think of only two ways to see this- IMAX on Queen Street or Hoyts Sylvia Park Xtreme Screen.
If you live anywhere near an IMAX screen I implore you to make the trip.
James Cameron himself this week called "Gravity" 'the best space movie ever done'.
He may well be right.
If he sees this as a throwing down of a challenge as he ramps up production on his Avatar sequels we are in for quite the treat in a couple of years.
IMAX and 3D were invented for movies like "Gravity" - at least I think so because I don't think that I have seen a movie quite like this before.
Truly tense, truly stunning and truly great.
| Rated | M for language and intensity |
| Running Time: | 91 minutes (1hr, 23 mins without end credits) |
| Starring: |
| Sandra Bullock | --- Ryan Stone |
| George Clooney | --- Matt Kowalski |
| Ed Harris | --- Mission Control (voice)( |
| Orto Ignatiussen | --- Aningaaq (voice) |
| Paul Sharma | --- Shariff (voice) |
| Amy Warren | --- Explorer Captain (voice) |
| Basher Savage | --- Russian Space Station Captain (voice) |
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