Gravity (2013) - Beyond Words.

★★★★★

This film must be seen on as big of a screen as possible, best in IMAX 3D that will allow you to visually get in there to better experience the grandiosity of mother Earth from outer space, and also the extreme terror and incessant danger of drifting high up there.

‘Gravity’ is directed by Mexican Alfonso Cuaron who’s so fond of making long takes, but in the film, he’s not doing it to show off but to better present a story of survival by letting us see and feel how Ryan (Sandra Bullock) and Matt (George Clooney) see and feel about their life and death situation after their space mission is abruptly interrupted by space debris. Sandra Bullock is terrific playing a vulnerable, panicked astronaut rookie, while George Clooney is only there to teach her (and us) when it’s time to let go and when it’s not. He may seem trivial but he’s the key to plot twists, especially Ryan’s final move to want to make it back home, that looks so insane yet it’s scientifically correct and possible. Sandra’s performance breathes life into the film, but the real star of the film is the magnificent camera work and stunning special effects that are not like anything you’ve ever seen before. The score by Steven Price is also exhilarating.

‘Gravity’ is considered a sci-fi film but it’s not quite because there’s nothing beyond science in fact. Things all happen on a scientific basis. There’s no alien stuff or CGI monsters or any sort of conspiracy behind. It’s simply an adventure full of perils and thrills as you know high up there in an exceedingly freezing environment with oxygen running out, every choice you make is life or death. If you’re concerned about how you’re going to put up with an hour and a half running time simply seeing characters drift and somersault helplessly in space, I promise you there’s a whole lot more to discover, and you’ll only feel like it’s 90 minutes too short. If you think the trailer’s jaw-dropping enough, tell you what, that’s only the tip of the iceberg!

James Cameron said ‘Gravity’ is the best space film ever. To me, it’s a lot more impressive than ‘Avatar’ both technically and dramatically. This is a film beyond words. I stayed seated with my eyes closed for a while when the end credits started to roll, feeling so blessed and moved. It made me sigh and want to cry over the vulnerability and insignificance of our existence to Earth itself in this vast Universe.

Later, I thought to myself, if what I see in this film is already beyond words, then Buddha Amitabha’s Pure Land I’m going to will be completely unimaginable.