Alfonso
Cuaron's
Gravity
is
a
3D
science
fiction
thriller,
but
not
in
the
conventional
sense.
With
no
iota
of
fantasy
in
it,
the
film
is
simple
and
engaging
to
the
core
and
evokes
strong
polar
reactions.
It
is
outstanding
from
a
technical
perspective
with
controlled
acting
and
a
precise
tone.
But
at
the
same
time,
it
does
not
have
much
of
a
story
line.
It
is
slow,
lacks
pace
and
even
sub-plots.
It
is
attractive
yet
disturbing,
detailed
yet
enormous
and
specific
yet
universally
relatable.
Gravity
is
a
survival
tale
set
in
space.
There
is
no
glamour,
aliens,
antagonists,
specialised
automated
robotic
action
sequences
or
supernatural
phenomena.
Gravity
begins
with
an
exceptionally
brilliant
shot
that
seems
to
last
forever.
What
starts
off
as
a
speck
in
the
darkness
slowly
grows
and
glows.
Earth
is
beautifully
captured
from
over
a
distance
of
600
km
from
space
where
three
astronauts
are
working
on
a
space
station.
The
shot
is
brilliant
and
jaw
dropping.
The
focus
shifts
to
the
space
station
and
onto
the
mood
of
the
three
astronauts.
It's
a
regular
day
in
space.
Dr.
Ryan
Stone
(Sandra
Bullock),
an
accomplished
medical
engineer
is
busy
fixing
a
technical
problem
on
the
exterior
of
the
spacecraft.
She
is
accompanied
by
another
hand
and
Matt
Kowalski
(George
Clooney),
a
veteran
astronaut
on
his
final
mission,
is
just
clowning
about
with
a
jetpack
strapped
to
him.
The
disposition
of
the
three
seems
routine
yet
frivolous.
They
are
floating,
tumbling
and
swirling
in
space
solemnly
enjoying
their
solitude
and
their
work.
All
of
a
sudden
they
are
informed
that
as
a
result
of
a
chain
reaction
from
the
Russians
having
shot
down
one
of
their
own
satellites,
debris
from
this
neighbouring
space
station
is
hurtling
towards
them.
Before
the
three
of
them
can
react
to
this
warning
the
debris
from
the
destroyed
spacecraft
hits
them,
tossing
them
about
and
damaging
their
shuttle.
Thrown
into
oblivion,
the
astronauts
struggle
to
survive
and
this
forms
the
crux
of
the
story.
As
time
passes,
things
go
awry.
What
keeps
you
hooked
is
your
curiosity
to
know;
what
happens
when
the
umbilical
cord
that
holds
the
astronauts
to
the
spacecraft
snaps...when
the
pressure
vessel
on
the
spacecraft
ruptures...when
there
is
a
fire
on
board?
These
questions
are
all
answered
in
awe
inspiring
detail.
Click
here
to
view
movie
stills
of
Gravity.
Performance
On
the
performance
front,
Sandra
Bullock
is
composed
and
controlled.
She
expresses
herself
more
with
her
breathing
and
voice
modulation
and
subtle
facial
expressions.
George
Clooney
provides
some
entertainment
for
those
short
of
attention
with
his
jostling
around
and
cheesy
one-liners.
What
touches
you
about
Gravity
is
its
unpretentious
nature.
It
has
no
hidden
agendas.
Technical
Expertise
The
story,
written
by
director
Cuaron
and
his
son
Jonas,
may
seem
formulaic
but
it
is
the
technical
expertise
that
will
baffle
you
continuously.
The
outstanding
direction
and
visuals
are
apparent
in
the
13-minute
continuous
opening
scene
where
the
camera
faultlessly
zooms
in
and
out
and
rotates
at
various
angles
to
give
you
a
mind-boggling
cinematic
experience.
Cinematography
The
director
of
photography,
Emmanuel
Lubezki's
frames
with
images
of
astonishing
clarity
seamlessly
merge
with
the
computer
generated
images
created
by
Tim
Webber.
Music
The
background
score
by
Steven
Price
is
commendable.
He
has
effectively
created
a
sound
which
has
an
awesomely
eerie
trace.
Overall,
the
production
values
of
the
film
are
good.
Gravity
is
nothing
more
than
just
a
visually
exciting
suspense
drama.
Cast:
Sandra
Bullock,
George
Clooney
Director:
Alfonso
Cuaron
IANS