Movie Review | Gravity: More Than Just a Space Film

Gravity Movie Poster 

“I think that movie is boring. It only features two actors. What’s so cool about that!” said an acquaintance of mine, commenting on a movie entitled Gravity. But I have an entirely different opinion.

You probably have seen countless movies about space. But I bet you have never really experienced what it feels like to be in space. This, in my opinion, is what Gravity has to offer.

Joining space shuttle Explorer, Dr. Ryan Stone, a Mission specialist nicely played by Sandra Bullock, is hired by NASA to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Accompanied by veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski, starred by George Clooney, Dr. Stone floats away in the space, trying to service the telescope. It will be outrageous if you are not stunned by a jaw dropping view of the blue Earth, which shades the work field of Dr. Stone and Kowalski.

However, all of sudden, the Mission Control in Houston warns of a high-speed space debris, created by a defunct Russian satellite destroyed by the country’s missile. The Mission Control considers that the debris may endanger the space mission and therefore aborts Explorer’s mission. The warning, however, is too late. A pile of high-speed debris flies towards Dr. Stone and Kowalski, who have yet to enter Explorer.

Dont Let Go: Movie Tagline

As the debris hit them, the communication with the Mission Control is cut. The debris has sent Explorer into pieces. After the debris’s attack has ceased, Dr. Stone and Kowalski then learn that they are the sole survivors of Explorer.

Drifted in the nothingness of space, Dr. Stone and Kowalski have to survive in order to find a shuttle to carry them back to Earth.

“I think it’s the best space photography ever done, I think it’s the best space film ever done, and it’s the movie I’ve been hungry to see for an awful long time,” said James Cameron, the director of acclaimed movie “Avatar” in his interview with variety.com.

Cameron, in my opinion, spoke the truth. Gravity is indeed the best space film.

In my movie repertoire, space films usually narrate about possible causes of Earth’s destruction. You probably still remember Armageddon or Independence Day. Others just talk about the science-fiction world of space, like in Star Wars or Star Trek. So, I think, Alfonso Cuaron is very smart to make a space film that tells about humans.

Wait a second; did I just say Alfonso Cuaron? Yes, the director of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the mastermind behind Gravity.

Aside from astonishing effects – that makes you think you really are in a space –, Gravity should thank to Sandra Bullock for her astounding acting. Not to mention, it should also credit George Clooney for his minor yet important role on the movie.

Dr. Ryan and Kowalski fixing the Hubble Telescope

Thanks to Bullock, who is now entering her 50s (You will not be able to guess her actual age if you only watch the movie), I can really relate to human’s experience and emotion that the movie tries to convey. I was literally drawn into Dr. Ryan’s fears when she was drifted in space. I shared the same fears. I could relate to her depression after knowing that she might have no chance to land her feet on the ground again.

Besides its exceptional narration, Gravity is also so full of metaphors if you want to explore it. Floating in the nothingness can be interpreted differently by the movie’s spectators, for those who want to think about it deeply.  Therefore, in my opinion, Gravity belongs to a kind of movie that makes you reflect on your own life story.

Dr. Ryan in space ship

In the end of this post, I want to revisit my acquaintance’s comment earlier on the top of the post. What’s wrong with only two major stars? The more the merrier does not apply to this movie. Gravity is as good as it with only two major characters. In fact, Cuaron has led us to understand the characters of Dr. Ryan and Kowalski in depth right from the start.

Gravity, in short, is beyond a film about space as Gravity pulls you toward your inner life journey.