Movie Review: 3-D Hit Defies “Gravity” With Depth, Insight

Travis Page reviews the box office hit, “Gravity.”

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If it’s cheesy, light-hearted 3-D comedy you’re after, I wouldn’t recommend spending $10 on it, but for the more serious movie-goers out there, Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity” is a fresh drink of water in a world of hokey 3-D motion pictures.

Throughout the entire movie, the Oscar-winning duo of George Clooney and Sandra Bullock keep the jokes light and fun, while diving into the depths of the human psyche all at the same time.

“Gravity” tells the story of Matt Kowalsky (Clooney), a veteran astronaut, and Ryan Stone (Bullock), a medical engineer, and their journey from working on satellites to free floating across space to the International Space Station.

“Gravity” is worth seeing for its use of 3-D technology. Even directors such as James Cameron have been praising Cuaron’s use of the all-too-often cheesy 3-D technology.

Cameron, whose groundbreaking 3-D movie “Avatar” pulled in $242 million worldwide in its opening weekend and has totaled $2.7 billion as it sits above all other movies in net gross, explains to Variety Magazine his fixation with the film.

“I was stunned, absolutely floored. I think it’s the best space photography ever done, I think it’s the best space film ever done, and it’s the movie I’ve been hungry to see for an awful long time.”

“Gravity” is Cuaron’s first major motion picture in seven years (“Children of Men,” 2006) and it’s well worth the wait. The crew spent a whole four years in pre-production alone.

The spacious views of Earth from over 220 miles out give “Gravity” one of the most beautiful settings for a movie I’ve ever seen.

The film offers more than just a pretty picture to look at, however. As Stone (Bullock’s character) looks down to Earth, she ends up finding what makes her tick.

Faced with a possible tragedy, Stone has to think on her feet throughout the short but very sweet, hour and 30 minutes.

“Gravity” offered a plot depth I wasn’t ready for. Expecting a great visual film that lacked substance, “Gravity” offers an extremely beautiful motion picture that will have you swept up in the struggle of Ryan Stone.

“Gravity” opened nationwide Oct. 4, and I would recommend it to anyone.

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