Gravity is one of the best movies I have ever seen -- and if you know me, you know I have seen a lot of films. Gravity is an achievement in movie-making that hasn't been done it a long while. And Gravity must be seen in 3D, it is the first time I have seen a 3D film and it was a fantastic experience.
When I first heard about Gravity and saw the trailer, I was at a loss at how they could stretch the premise into a feature-length film. I am happy to say that Alfonso Cuarón was able to do just that and without the use of any flashforwards or flashbacks. The film works on the simple premise that during an EVA (extra-vehicular activity) the space shuttle is struck by debris and is disabled, leaving astronauts afloat and in peril.
This movie is a hardcore science fiction film. There were minor issues with the science in the film, which Neil deGrasse Tyson brought up, but for the most part the film sticks to science -- and yes, you cannot hear explosions in space in this film.
The film's excellent score by Steven Price fills in for what could have been a near silent film. Price's score does a lot of heavy lifting and works out well.
I was surprised by Sandra Bullock's performance. She does a fantastic job in the film. George Clooney was also excellent. Ed Harris is the voice of Mission Control and that is awesome as a throwback to Harris's previous space-themed films (Apollo 13 and The Right Stuff).
The thing I loved most about the movie, outside of the science, was the fact that it was a simple story that was gripping, engaging, and thrilling. The story worked because it was so efficient and other screenwriters should learn from Gravity -- it doesn't take fancy and convoluted plot twists to make an excellent film.
There was restraint used with the special effects and I appreciated that. Even Cuarón's signature long shots were done in a fashion where they were not noticeable.
I really enjoyed Gravity and recommend it to anyone.