tek's rating: ¾

Gravity (PG-13)
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This came out in 2013, but I didn't see it until 2022. It was originally released in 3D and IMAX 3D, but the version I saw on DVD was 2D. It still looked pretty good, but unlike some 3D movies that I watch in 2D, I never really got the sense of its being a 3D movie. I don't know why. Also I should say the film is described as science fiction, but I don't see it as such. And it's described as a thriller, which I can see. But before I watched it, I expected to put my review under "drama", which it definitely is. While watching it, I thought I should put it under "action", but ultimately decided it was time I started a category for "disaster films", even though I wouldn't have much to put in there. So that's where I put this review. The movie did exceptionally well both financially and critically, but personally I thought it was just okay. I'm glad to have seen it, but I wouldn't feel the need to see it again.

Sandra Bullock plays a mission specialist named Dr. Ryan Stone, and George Clooney plays an astronaut named Lt. Matt Kowalski, who go up on a space shuttle called Explorer to make an upgrade to the Hubble telescope. While Dr. Stone is working on that, the Russians shoot down one of their own satellites, which sends debris hurtling through space. It hits another satellite (or maybe multiple satellites, I dunno), which creates still more debris. That ends up destroying the Explorer and all of its crew except Stone and Kowalski. The two of them have to try to get to the International Space Station, and... other stuff happens. I don't really want to spoil any more of the movie, but it's definitely a harrowing survival tale, and both actors did great jobs in their roles. I wish I could think of more to say.

The DVD has a short film called "Aningaaq", named after someone Dr. Stone has a brief radio contact with in the main film. The short is told from Aningaaq's perspective, which was... repetitive, but it was interesting to see the scene in that different light.


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