Gravity - 2013 - Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

If films were only rated on their visuals, this would be the best film I have ever seen. 

Gravity, from director (and co-writer) Alfonso Cuaron, is a sci-fi thriller set within the depths of space. The story focuses on Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock), a medical engineer who is on her first mission into space along with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney). On what seems a routine spacewalk disaster strikes as a huge amount of debris comes whirling at Stone and Kowalski and suddenly the pair find themselves tethered onto nothing but themselves, floating in space with oxygen continuously depleting. Will the pair make it back to solid ground?

Cuaron has made a film that will undoubtedly be remembered as a cinematic great, but for it's visuals and not for its story. Visually this film is the greatest I have ever seen with the deep, silent, emptiness of space captured remarkably with the use of CGI. Due to this, Gravity is a beautiful film that has the ability to leave you speechless at the wonder that is on the screen. The result of which being 7 Academy Awards including Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing and Best Cinematography.

However, for all that this film excels in it lacks in any effective story. I found Gravity painfully difficult to connect with due to the distinct lack of character development proving this picture's downfall. Even the little character interaction that did occur failed to engage me as a viewer. During the section where Ryan discusses her past with Matt it left me wondering why this conversation had not happened earlier, why had this topic of conversation not happened during the first week of their shuttle mission?

What this boils down to is a poor script; a poor story in fact. That interaction was needed for any hope of audience sympathy and connection to Ryan Stone, a character who is the only person on screen for the majority of the film. Yet, the necessary connection was not effectively established and in my eyes the film suffers for it.

I am aware that my view may not be shared with the majority but I feel that many may have overlooked the story due to the simply magnificent visual and sound effects. In my opinion Gravity took home one too many Oscars as I believe Steve McQueen produced a much better case for the Best Director award.

Gravity is gripping, it is exhilarating and without a doubt stunning to watch, but its story and character development let it down.

J.Henderson.

7.5/10.