Gravity (2/25/2014)

Rated PG-13 for intense perilous sequences, some disturbing images and brief strong language.

Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

Directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)

I’m still trying to catch my breath.

Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) in command of his last flight before retiring. But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone–tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

First confession, when I first saw the trailer for Gravity, I thought there’s no way they can make a good 2-hour movie about being “lost in space.” I was partially right…the movie is only an hour and a half…but it is a wildly entertaining hour and a half.

Second confession, I paid the extra couple of dollars to see it in 3-D…and it was worth every penny. Some 3-D films have a couple gimmick “gotcha” moments (and sure Gravity has fun with it early on in the film) but every epic scene is made better because of the 3-D filming.

And you realize how great the filming is within seconds of the movie starting when all you see is the view of Earth from space and all you hear is silence. It really is breathtaking. Then as the film gets rolling the camera work and visuals become more and more mind blowing.

In the midst of all this cinematographic genius, there is a story that rivals any dramatic film I have watched this year. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney not only bring the story and characters to life, but they deliver powerful performances.

If there is a negative, it comes from an article in Entertainment Weekly where they interviewed NASA scientists to see how much of the film was realistic. I was pretty sure that most of the “science” was made up, but I didn’t care. The movie is that good.

After that first trailer, I never thought I would say this, but Gravity is “Worth Buying.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This is rated PG-13 for a reason. Young children will more than likely find this film too intense and disturbing. There are several lengthy sequences of destruction and action, with a few brief graphic images. There is one F word and a couple other mild profanities.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. What is the one thing Matt Kowalski keeps telling Ryan Stone?


2. How did his encouragement help her?


3. Who are some people who encourage you?


4. How do they encourage you?


5. Read Hebrews 10:24
   
   Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
   
   Spend some time thinking about creative ways you can encourage people around you to do good deeds.