I've gone off going to the multiplex in recent years because its such an unpleasant experience most of the time, far too expensive, and the movies are often dumb. But this has helped revive my faith in Hollywood - a smart big budget special effects flick with stars and an awesome story.
Visually this is incredible - I kept wondering "how did they do that?" Alfonso Cuaron's tendency for long takes works brilliantly - it all works brilliantly - creating genuine white knuckle suspense. I'm sure boffins could poke holes in the science of it all, but I believed it.
Sandra Bullock is excellent in the lead - her plastic surgery wasn't too distracting as she spends most of the movie in a helmet, and looks splendid in astronaut underwear. It's such a tremendous role - I understand Angelina Jolie decided not to do it over money; if that's true, she was a fool: Cuaron is one of the best directors working in the world today. George Clooney was born to play an astronaut, too.
So many excellent moments: the opening "attack", the discovery of the fate of the Shuttle crew, Bullock's third act turning point. A wonderful film.
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