I emphasise the film here because a film is generally seen as a conglomeration of visuals, sound, music, story, and character. Visuals, sound and music are excelled. This would be a fine film if the story and characters at least had some depth to add interest to the film. However, neither were on par. The story was far too simple and just revolved around Bullock experiencing a problem and trying to find a solution, with the inevitable finale of her survival and landing on Earth. The depth to her character felt threadbare; she spends almost the entirety of the opening sequence gasping and letting out cries of distress.
See, normally I would agree, but not every movie needs the same amount of "depth" to succeed. This movie to me is as close to an actual, physical thrill ride as I've ever experienced, especially in IMAX.
You may see this as damning with faint praise, but I don't. Each movie is trying to do something different. How well it does what it's trying to do is the measure of its success. My favorite movie of all-time is Network. How does the script of Gravity compare to that of Network? Don't make me laugh . . but then, having Ryan Stone pause to wax ostentatiously verbose during lengthy monologues would've been a terrible choice. It just wasn't the time or place, any more than explosions and flying debris would've been appropriate in Network.
Most complaints I've read about Gravity are along the lines of "lacks depth/character development/plot." The last thing this movie needed was more plot. Its best virtue is its compact, right-to-the-point nature, and giving us more of the things it's supposedly lacking . . which are usually advisable or necessary . . would just slow things down. I didn't want or need to see these characters' pre-mission lives or families. I didn't need info on how ground control was dealing with the Russians during this whole disaster. In another film, maybe that would be the answer. Who knows; if anyone ever decides to film the events surrounding the Apollo 13 mission, maybe we'll get all of that and it'll work beautifully.
So, we disagree fundamentally about this
film. I've been puzzled and annoyed by the cascade of shrill "Gravity suuuuuuucks!" yelps from so many people since its release, and your objections are clearly not in that category. Yet, you're saying essentially the same thing. And, I just don't get the "bored" thing. The movie's only 90 minutes long, and it doesn't dawdle.
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I have meddled with the primal forces of nature and I will atone.
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Billylkbrooke
8 years ago
Firstly, thank you for taking the time of writing such a detailed reply to my reply. Just a few points on my verdict I want to clarify, although I understand that you have your own opinion so I'm not trying to change yours at all.
My experience of the film may have been relatively sub-par considering I was watching it at home, rather than experiencing the immersive thrills of IMAX or the Cinema. This is perhaps what may have impacted my own experience of the film. Nevertheless, I also went into this film from the expectations of critics and IMDb, which praise it to the high heavens. As such I was thinking I was in for a good time. The beginning impressed, and the immersion was there. However, I myself slowly began to lose interest, and eventually just stopped watching altogether because I had no emotional connection with the story or characters.
The one thing I certainly think of the film is that it is a groundbreaking film that pushes boundaries. It is an achievement of CGI and visual effects. That is doubtless, and aweinspiring to watch.
But in explaination of why so many people dislike this film, I think it is easy to see the in this circumstance. Plot and Character may not fit, as you suggest here, but that does not mean Gravity is any more a good film for what it is; it is effectively a graphical experiment more than a film in my opinion.
Again, my experience may well of been marred by not watching it in IMAX or in the Cinema, but basically when I watched it I was in the mood for a film; Gravity just wasn't enough the emotional rollarcoaster that Good Will Hunting is, and uses action exclusively to push the plot. All I'm saying is it just isn't my cuppa tea for that reason.
I'm not saying that the film lacks positives, however. It is spectacular and beautiful with its visuals, utilising simply themes of isolation expertly. Alfonso's direction is also superb, and magnificent to watch.
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