Gravity

Trailer- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTiKOy59o4

Well as the green witch from Wicked would say, Sandra Bullock defies gravity in this new hugely acclaimed space thriller directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Or rather she doesn't as Gravity does not actually feature in the film much at all. In fact there's less gravity in Gravity than possibly any other film I've ever seen. Misleading titles, what can you do.

In all seriousness Gravity is seriously impressive. If you weren't told it's just a movie you'd assume it's all real from just looking at it. Space looks authentically like space and it's immersive as hell. It's also helped by some subtle but very well done 3D and some breathtaking goosebump inducing panoramas of Earth below. In a word- Gravity looks beautiful.

The sound, or rather lack of it, really helps Gravity to become the realistic space experience it is. There's a lot of action and explosions in the film but you hear absolutely none of it. It makes the moments of peril seem more dangerous as it's so unfamiliar to see such huge action going on around you in silence. Similarly the feeling of isolation felt by Bullock's character is translated perfectly to viewers by the surrounding silence. She's by herself up there, no one can hear her- that over used Alien quote 'in space no one can hear you scream' has never been more true than in Gravity.

The main character's could be a little more interesting but they do their job okay. George Clooney does a good job of playing a seasoned astronaut and 'kind of' love interest. Bullock maybe just touches on being a little irritating with her constant panic but to be honest there's no other way she can react to what's happening to her. The atmosphere created in Gravity is terrifying.

So film of the year right? It's what the posters say? I thought Gravity was great...but not perfect. It's not a constant thrill ride and there are moments of slow down. For what it is it has a perfect run-time of 90 minutes which is good as there's only so much you change in terms of setting in Gravity. Gravity is like Paris for me. When you get there it looks incredible, you're overwhelmed by how nice it all looks. But once you've been there a while you get used to it and progressive gets less impressive. If it were any longer my attention would definitely start to drift.

It's not trying to be sci-fi though- Gravity is outer space at it's most real and any major change of setting (scenes on earth, flashbacks) would take you completely out of it.

The constant struggle to stay alive and the frustration of Bullock's character makes Gravity almost constantly gripping other than the occasional slow moment and I'd highly recommend Gravity to just experience the outer space atmosphere the film makers have created. See it in 3D and in the cinema or not at all.

8/10