Gravity, 2013.
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron.
Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.
SYNOPSIS:
Disaster strikes on a routine spacewalk, leaving seasoned astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) and medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) completely alone and drifting in space.
In a case of perfect timing, director Alfonso Cuaron’s taut, space-set thriller Gravity arrives on Blu-ray and DVD today in the UK, fresh from its success at last night’s Academy Awards, where it dominated the night with seven awards in total (Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects).
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or in outer space) for the past six months, I’m sure you’re aware of the plot for Gravity, which is an exercise in simplicity itself. During a routine repair-job, two astronauts – veteran Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) and first timer Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) – are the only survivors when debris from a Russian satellite destroys their shuttle, leaving the duo stranded in the unforgiving, empty void of space. With their communication systems entirely cut off from Earth, and oxygen supplies running low, the pair must work together against insurmountable odds if they are to have any chance of making it home.
Quite simply, Gravity is a visual masterpiece, and coul d well be the finest example of CGI and other technical wizardry (yes, even 3D!) coming together to create an immersive, engaging – and ultimately terrifying – cinematic experience, which is greatly enhanced by Cuaron’s trademark long takes and mesmerising tracking shots. It is a true technical accomplishment and fully deserving of its plaudits in these areas; it’s greatest success is that the viewer never once questions the authenticity of what is on screen – the visual effects are essentially invisible, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are in space, and we as the audience are right there with them.
While any old Hollywood blockbuster can throw some glossy visuals up on the screen, it’s rare to get such an engrossing tale to back up the impressive imagery. However, Gravity delivers just that and from the very first scene we’re catapulted into this desperate situation facing our two leads and the tension never lets up until the closing credits roll. Credit is certainly due to Bullock and Clooney, who carry the film themselves and are both hugely impressive in their roles – especially Bullock, who delivers a career best turn. Things do start to get a little repetitive as we approach the third act, and the script – from Cuaron and his son Jonas – isn’t quite up to the standard of the visuals, meaning that a 91 minute film ends up feeling more like two hours. Still, this is a small complaint, particularly when we’re spending those seemingly two hours looking at such stunning imagery.
As you’d expect, Gravity does lose a little something on the small screen, but that’s not to say this isn’t one of the best-looking Blu-rays I’ve had the pleasure of watching. The 1080p video transfer is immaculate and captures all of the painstaking attention to detail, and it’s backed up by a spectacular 5.1 DTS-HD audio track. If you want to show off your home cinema set-up, then Gravity is the disc to do so with; throw in almost three hours of in-depth bonus material – and the film itself, of course – and this Blu-ray is a must have addition to your collection.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Originally published March 3, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
