Director: Alfonso Cuaron
I've seen the trailer of Gravity once. When a fellow movie-lover mentioned that she was excited for it, I had to ask her why. It was, after all, just two people floating in space. I was wrong. The work was visually captivating. It was agonizing to watch one misfortune after the other, but seeing in projected in a vast area like that, all I can say is...wow. It captures your attention from the beginning, and it doesn't let go afterwards. I'm not a fan of 3-D, but I regret not seeing it in that medium. I think this may be one of those films that should be seen in the said medium, as it enhances the spacial experience. I honestly think this could be an Oscar contender for visuals and cinematography, as it managed to make space beautiful and scary at the same time.
The Explorer was on a mission to install a prototype that Dr. Ryan Stone has spent her research on. She was assisted by a few others, one of them being Matt Kowalski. While installing the prototype, they received an urgent mission from Houston, that debris from a recently destroyed Russian satellite was heading their way. They were ultimately cut off from the rest of their crew when the debris hit their shuttle unexpectedly. The rest of the film is spent with them finding a way to go home.
Despite the simplicity of the plot, I had a problem with the dialogue, as it was riddled with cliches. Maybe it's the optimist talking, but it seemed inevitable to insert hopeful lines, that while drenched in meaning, seemed a little too perfect to say in such occasion. Sandra Bullock is an amazing actress, and she can clearly carry a film. While she had proved herself to be a versatile actress, I wasn't convinced with her performance. I've never gotten the urge from Dr. Ryan Stone, that desperation, that wanting to get home. I thought that her motives were being influenced by Matt Kowalski, who stayed positive throughout the film. Bullock was trying to convey emotions of loss and redemption, but I wasn't going for her character. I actually expected her character to be calm and collected, but the beginning shed light on the character that we're going to meet for the rest of the film.
The film was shot beautifully, making space really captivating and scary at the same time. I can't help but visually compare it with Life of Pi, and how great cinematography can easily change the outlook of a film. It also helped that its original score complimented the piece, and with the editing, it was able to convey the desired emotion at the right time and the right moment.
Glad you liked the film! I actually gave it 10 - the story works beautifully on many different levels and I thought Bullock did a great job. I thought that her awakening came from few things - mostly realizing how precious life is and not wanting Matt's sacrifice to be for nothing.
ReplyDeleteI found that scene to be amazing, as well as when the film would cut in space, looking at the turmoil of Bullock's character, but without the noise. She did a good job, but I just wasn't fully convinced with her character.
Delete