Kidzworld reviews the wonder and danger of work in space in the visually amazing film “Gravity”. Sandra Bullock plays an astronaut/scientist who must survive a disaster in orbit. Can she beat the odds and get home?
By: Lynn Barker
Hey, it’s your first space mission. You are more scientist than astronaut. Just fix something on the orbiting Hubble Telescope, enjoy the view and go home…right? For Sandra Bullock as astronaut Ryan Stone, nothing in space is by-the-book.
Fixing the Hubble
Veteran astronaut Mike Kowalski (George Clooney) is on his last mission in space, helping repair the orbiting Hubble telescope and taking time out to zoom around outside the space shuttle on a fun jetpack. Newbie astronaut/scientist Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is busy fixing something on an extended arm of the telescope and takes time to enjoy the amazing view of the Earth below. Two of their crew plus Kowalski joke with Houston and keep asking the unsteady Ryan if she’s gonna hurl.
Ryan determined to finish her repairs
Disaster Strikes!
Suddenly, Houston issues a warning; take cover fast! The Russians sent a rocket to destroy one of their own malfunctioning satellites and the debris from the blast is heading their way! Ryan is trying to finish her work before debris hits. Kowalski tries to help and bam! chunks of satellite hit and destroy the shuttle and the other crew members! Ryan’s tether breaks sending her spinning alone and further and further away. Kowalski uses his jetpack to reach her.
Big blow up!
Can I Get a Tow?
With the shuttle destroyed, Kowalski gets the idea to propel himself and the recovered Ryan toward and not too distant Russian space station where maybe they can get a lift home via one of the Russian life pods. Trouble is, oxygen in the astronauts’ suits should run out before they get there!
Towing to the Russian station
Fighting for Life
Will both Kowalski and Ryan make it to the Russian station? What if that too is destroyed by space debris? The Chinese have a station a little further away. Can that be a fall back plan or is all lost for the brave duo?
Will she float away?
Wrapping Up
We don’t want to spoil the movie with more detail. Suffice it to say that you’ll be on the edge of your seat rooting for the survivors through one obstacle after another. Most of all, with or without 3D (we recommend it for this amazingly visual film), you’ll feel like you are right up there orbiting the Earth! You won’t see a more involving and stunning-looking movie for a while.
Kowalski (George Clooney) hangs on for dear life
Early scenes are so realistic that real astronauts who have been up there tell us that the film is as close as you’ll get to what they saw and felt in space. Director Alfonso Cuaron (who also directed the intense Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) had to invent whole new camera devices and rigging to suspend the actors, spin and float them as he shot long scenes without cutting away. Just mind-blowing! Both on set action and CGI work is cutting edge.
Zero gravity rest for Ryan
There is tension in the heart-felt and human story throughout but if you expect constant explosive action as intense as the first scenes of destruction, this isn’t sustained throughout the movie. After the brutal disaster, it’s all about creative survival and you’ll root for Bullock’s sympathetic astronaut/scientist as she desperately fights for her life. We’d remind you that this is only a movie. Sure, space work can be dangerous but don’t let the potential danger override the incredible adventure. Real astronauts don’t and, if you get the urge and study hard, you could be one of them. It’s rare but for the amazing visual experience alone, we go five stars.
Gravity Movie Rating: 
A Gravity poster
Gravity is in theaters October 4th!
