Gravity

I watched this thrilling sci fi movie while on a plane over the ocean, and the turbulence really added to the tense feel of it.

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney play astronauts working on repairing the Hubble telescope, when an accident sends them into a dire situation.

There is a kind of deep, uneasy fear that comes from watching someone tumble into the empty void of space, with nothing to reach for or hold on to. It is like the fear of falling that is hardwired in our animal brain–but slower, more horrible. This movie tantalizes you with that unease throughout. Constantly, someone is nearly slipping into a never ending fall to a slow death.

This film is beautiful–amazing really. To the point where I don’t really understand how it was done. Not that I’m an expert on special effects, but I found it stunning. When eye-widening sights are combined with a story you can actually follow and characters you care about, the result is powerful. We get one, 90 minute long action sequence, where you’re on the edge of your seat for most of it, and feeling for the characters the whole time.

I really liked the simplicity of this film. It is cut down to the basics–two people trapped in space trying not to die. There is no mystery, no puzzling villain with undecipherable motivations, no nonsensical plot twists, brow-furrowing betrayals. It is pure and clear action with an understandable plot. It is easy to underestimate how much of a bonus it is to have a clear plot and character motivations!

This was very enjoyable to watch, and felt much shorter than its already short (these days anyway) 90 minutes. I’d probably even watch it again at some point.

Recommended to anyone interested in space travel, sci fi, or just a good, tense thriller.

Check it out!