I'm not sure where to begin with this one. I'm not sure if I've fully recovered from the intensity of it all. What I do know is that this deserves every bit of acclaim it's gotten. It is unarguably one of the best films of the year, and may just go down as, in my humble opinion, the greatest movie of 2013.
Gravity is about outer space. It is also about Sandra Bullock's character, Dr. Ryan Stone. The premise is that Ryan is working on repairing a satellite with a small group of astronauts when space debris attacks and strands her in space. As the film goes on, however, it becomes more than that, moving outwards into space and inwards into Ryan's character at the same time. This mix of introspection and exploration works to the films benefit, and makes it that much more powerful. The extremely good writing also helps, with very strong characterization and an even stronger plot.
I saw Gravity in 3D IMAX, which I believe to be the way it was meant to be seen. It's shot in a way that you feel like you're in space with the characters, and it takes advantage of that to make you feel just how they are feeling. The camera will go through corridors to simulate the feeling of exploration, or show a shaky cam view of what the Ryan is seeing to make you feel as stressed out as she is. It's masterfully done, and consistently succeeds in causing stress or evoking emotion.
It also helps that the movie is just plain gorgeous to look at. The visuals are breathtaking, with absolutely amazing shots of outer space and Earth alike. The effects never cease to be brilliant, which coupled with the beautiful cinematography results in Gravity being an absolute feast for the eyes. The soundtrack, not to be outdone, is also a work of genius. It's soaring, epic, and intense, taking the already immense heights of the movie and raising them even higher.
Sound in Gravity is edited very cleverly. The music may be loud and intense inside an escape pod or space station, but then the camera will pan out to space and the music will cease. Similarly, at times the lighting will be bright inside but dark outside. Such techniques work to show the emptiness of space. There is no sound in space, and neither is there any light.
The sound editing also helps with building Gravity's tone, one of constant panic. This fits in with the picture's immersiveness. Of course the tone will be panicked-that reflects what Ryan's feeling. It doesn't falter when Ryan's emotion changes, either-the tone adjusts accordingly. As such, you will always be feeling what Ryan is feeling. It's very effective and makes the experience of the movie that much more amazing.
Gravity is a masterpiece. There is little doubt that, come 2020, people will be looking back on it as one of the best films of the decade. It's a tour de force of visuals, sound, writing, and directing, all serving together to make an awe inspiring whole. It is, at this point, the best movie that I have seen this year, and I doubt anything will be able to take that crown.
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