Gravity Movie Review: 3 Reasons Why You Should See This Movie...in the Theater

There was plenty of hype surrounding Gravity which made me nervous to see it.  The continued hype and social media pals started telling me how great it was and it had an outstanding first weekend at the box office. I feared my expectations were lifted too high.  There was also the trailer which wasn’t very good and the thought of someone floating in space for 90 minutes which sounded incredibly boring. 

Nonetheless, the hype got to me. I have a fair amount of trust in Sandra Bullock and George Clooney to be in a good movie and director Alfonso Cuaron helmed Gravity - and he also directed one of my favorite films from a few years ago called Children of Men - so I felt that I could put my faith in all of them.

I’m glad I saw it and when I walked out of the theater I thought I just saw an amazing movie.  When I stepped into my car, I realized I just saw a really good movie.  Why the dip?  The dialogue wasn’t outstanding and some of the scenes weren’t great.  Now that you know that, put that criticism aside and see this movie…in the theater.

Here are my 3 reasons on why you really should see this movie:

1) This is more than a movie, it’s an experience. People have told me I had to see movies in the theater to experience them.  I had to see Star Trek in theaters or The Avengers.  No, these movies are enhanced by the giant screen, incredible sound and inability to press pause and go in the kitchen to grab another drink from the fridge.  I didn’t “have to” see these movies in the theater.  Gravity IS AN EXPERIENCE.  Gravity YOU HAVE TO SEE IN THE THEATER. The shots from space looking at the earth and out toward the sun and the stars truly make this movie one you can’t turn away from.  Think planetarium here.  You couldn’t have a planetarium on a 32 inch in your living room.  You need the dark theater and wall-to-wall screen.  We saw it in 3D, that’s up to you.

2) It is the most realistic portrayal of space in any movie ever.  You feel the zero gravity and Sandra Bullock has experiences you wouldn’t even comprehend and you feel it.  For those afraid of shaky cameras and queasy stomachs, I’m a lightweight and I did just fine.  Now I’ve never been to space so how would I know what it’s like and how real it is?  I don’t.  But I never heard or saw Lincoln in person but watching Daniel Day-Lewis portray the 16th president made me feel that I was actually watching Abraham Lincoln.  This movie puts you there and you think that this is what it’s like in zero gravity.

3)  It’s a modern day masterpiece and I don’t say that lightly.  After you see Gravity go home and Google everything because you’ll want to know how they did it all.  It really is an incredible piece of work from start to finish.  Technically, they left no stone unturned (can’t say the same for the story).  It even makes you think of the consequences of what happens in space affecting life on earth.  The directing, cinematography, special effects and music are near perfect.

So when the Russians shoot down one of their old satellites and the debris starts flying, Sandra Bullock and George Clooney have to battle space in an attempt to get back to home.  Sit back, (try to) relax and enjoy the ride.