‘Gravity’ is riddled with action, anxiety and emotion

A thriller that pulls you into the infinite and unforgiving realm of deep space, “Gravity” stars Sandra Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone, a brilliant engineer who gets lost in space on her first shuttle mission. One of the most exciting adventure movies of the year, the film opens with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) and Stone (Bullock), the crew of space shuttle Explorer on a routine mission to install a new communications panel on the International Space Station.

Sandra Bullock in Gravity

Sandra Bullock in Gravity

It’s the first mission for Stone and the final one for Kowalski. While installing the panel, the team engages in some witty banter with Mission Control (voiced by Ed Harris). All seems well as they casually float in space, but during the routine repair, disaster strikes and the shuttle is destroyed, and Stone and Kowalski are left tethered to nothing but each other while spiraling out into the blackness. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left and they end up in a desperate fight for survival in space.

Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone attempting to return to earth

Bullock as Dr. Ryan Stone attempting to return to earth

With a prize-winning performance by Bullock, what makes this movie so gripping isn’t any shattering uncertainty or bloody special-effects pyrotechnics, but the hypnotically tense and emotional story. “Physically I knew I could get there, but I didn’t know if I could step up as the whole environment was very new,” said Bullock of her role. “You have a lot to think about in a movie like this. You have to dig deep and use your imagination and whatever your raft is, you have to use it at that point and whatever tool is necessary to get that emotion out of confined space.”

Bullock and Clooney in Gravity

Bullock and Clooney in Gravity

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón (“Children of Men”) “Gravity” shows us there’s still plenty we don’t know about space. Even if you know how it will all turn out, the journey is harrowing and exhilarating. The film’s stunning visuals effects were handled by Oscar-nominated visual effects supervisor Tim Webber (“The Dark Knight”) who will be a front runner to garner numerous technical awards.

“Gravity” is out in theaters in 3D and 2D and IMAX

by Samantha Ofole-Prince. Pictures are courtesy of Warner Bros.

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