Review: "Gravity" is epic acting showcase to get oscars for scifi at last

Gravity PG-13
     Alphonso Cuaron, Harry Potter 3, Children of Men, tackles outer space thriller territory in this Oscar worthy performance of two astronauts stranded in space during a space walk mission. George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, both Oscar winners, are cast as two astronauts, although Clooney would be too old, he is likely just there as his last mission into space, as is implied. Bullock would be pushing it actually, but maybe it is also her last space mission.
     The story opens with the shuttle crew of a make believe ship called the Explorer making repairs on Hubble, the space telescope, but a freak satellite explosion sends bits of other satellites at them, stranding them in space and out of control. It is sort of like those movies where two people are stranded at sea and that's the movie.
     The technology is pretty spot on although the oxygen would have run out long ago. Despite that, the story includes nifty new space stations, a 3D version for those who want a headache in addition to vertigo, and a lot of stuff flying past the screen and being blasted in weightless grandeur.
     It appears to be Cuaron's attempt to get an Oscar for a science fiction movie. He tired before with Children of Men. This one though is a pretty exciting bit that makes you root for the Bullock character, even if she has a funny name, and the character does too. Stone.
     Clooney is Kowalsky, which is not so funny, but is not an homage to the guy in Big Bang Theory who also went into space in an episode or two.
     The idea of being trapped in outer space with little air, floating out there, and the idea of claustrophobic space stations and having Bullock in her shorts flying around inside the cramped station, might cause some alarm bells to go off. She looks the part of an astronaut more than if they cast someone ridiculously hot, as that wouldn't be realistic, and they were trying for that look. Casting Clooney was to appeal to the crowd that thinks he's the hot lead, but the ladies won't get to see him in shorts. Sorry.  The older Oscar folks will probably not get it, but maybe if they show enough of the silence it will make them feel like giving it a vote.
     NASA people are probably scratching their heads, but at least it's a fun ride and probably deserves at least a nod for acting and special effects. Not going to say best picture yet. Too soon to call.
     Review by Adam Browne