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Among the cinephiles of the world, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is considered the greatest science fiction film of all time, while the general public might cite George Lucas’ Star Wars as worthy of holding the title. Such other classics as Blade Runner, Metropolis and Solaris would definitely make the top ten - and Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity is likely to make that list as well. Even in an age where CGI can show us everything, it’s quite inspiring that there are still movies that can leave us in awe.

Gravity stars two A-list celebrities/Oscar winning actors, George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. After debris from a Russian satellite comes speeding through their orbit, ripping their space shuttle to shreds, they must work together to survive and get back home. If they don’t help each other, they risk floating in space for the rest of their mortal lives.

Cuarón is the Mexican-born director of such films as Solo Con Tu Pareja, Children of Men and Y Tu Mama Tambien. These films are the exact opposite of the content seen in Gravity, which is why it’s unusual that Cuarón took on the project. However, I can say in full confidence that Gravity is the best sci fi film of the 21st Century (so far). The camera-work is unbelievable; giving us a sense of overwhelming claustrophobia and panic, as time is running out for the characters. Cuarón’s trademark long takes (the opening shot doesn’t break for about ten minutes) that were defined with Children of Men are very much on display here, and work well by keeping you invested in the fluidity of the story.

The director immerses us in his version of outer space, and the actors are certainly doing their absolute best - as an audience we not only want them to survive, we need them to survive. The slow creeping, edge of your seat pace is absolutely perfect for this type of film - making every second incredibly suspenseful and stomach churning. As a film-lover, I live for these types of films. Gravity is sensational, a wakeup call for the senses.

Published in Volume 68, Number 7 of The Uniter (October 16, 2013)