Very few of us will ever be able to visit space. Thanks to the visual masterpiece “Gravity,” we all can. Join Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) in their fight for survival when space debris destroys their shuttle. In an effort to remain alive, they must reach the International Space Station despite the limited amount of fuel and oxygen while floating through space.
In their unnerving circumstance, Stone encounters not only external challenges, but also the personal pain that has marked her life. Stone, relatively alone in the world, is now isolated in a literal sense, and in the pursuit of fighting for her life, she brings into question what there is to fight for when you have no one.
Director Alfonso Cuarón challenges the audience to empathize and join Stone in her journey of becoming born again, a metaphor which is enhanced through the film’s brilliantly creative cinematography.
The fact that it is in 3-D only adds to the brilliance of the movie. Phenomenal visuals make viewers feel like they’re actually in space experiencing the infinite exhilaration, beauty, silence and wonder that surround Stone. “Gravity” truly brings art back into film. It is a beautiful picture that raises philosophical, spiritual and metaphorical questions.
Even after the credits roll, the film leaves the audience with a resonant reminder that we are not alone in our journey here on earth. It serves as a beacon of hope that reminds viewers not to be conquered by fear despite the overwhelming adversity we sometimes face. It encourages us to hold on and come out as the heroes and warriors that we are.
RATING: 5/5 stars