Viewed – 08 March 2014 pay-per-view

The type of movie that sells itself from the trailer alone.  Seeing Sandra Bullock being flung around space as a space station shatters around her was both exhilarating and exciting … what was this?  It felt fresh and new, a whole new cinematic ‘experience’ that finally warranted the dawn of 3D.

I can’t watch 3D, something to do with the fact I am only partially sited in one eye.  Shame I know, but for the most part I’m not bothered.  This however was the first movie I have seen where I really wish I could have seen it in all it’s multi-dimensional glory.  Sandra Bullock is an astronaut working at a space station orbiting earth along with seasoned astronaut George Clooney.  However when disaster strikes they are left stranded and floating in the ominous void of space with limited oxygen and limited hope, with no communication with back home.  Will they survive?

I thought immediately this was a stunning looking movie, with the special effects, sound-design and camera work all state-of-the-art, transporting this viewer right there and believe me, that’s a unnerving place to be.  Director Alfonso Cuarón (Children Of Men) cements his growing reputation as a visual auteur, delivering moments that truly challenge what is possible on film.  How some of these shots were achieved  baffles me, but that’s the magic of cinema.  Bullock is very good in the central role, even if I’d have liked a bit more desperate emotion out of her (but still looks great in and erm, out of her suit), and Clooney is basically Clooney, charismatic but nothing we haven’t seen from him a dozen times.  Also that moment Bullock starts barking to a radio transmission … bit odd that.

Yet this is a movie that is all about experience, about being there, about feeling disorientated and about hoping everything turns out ok.  In which respect, it excels.

Verdict:  4 /5