It's like a more extreme worst-case-scenario Apollo 13.

Yep, it's Apollo 13 on steroids, holy shit. It's fucking terrifying.

All others: see it on as big a screen and as Dolby-Atmosy as possible.

I fully intended to see it in IMAX 3D, but I got confused and ended up seeing it in regular 3D. I think it would have been more amazing in IMAX for sure; I would have loved better sound.

The 3D was worth it just for the tears. MY GOD.

I've never seen anything like this movie. I couldn't believe George fucking Clooney got offed so soon, leaving Sandra Bullock to carry the rest of the movie, which she totally did.

I loved all the little details like the tiny flames in the shuttle that Stone passes by, the fact that you can see the early debris fly by behind Stone as she's trying to get into the ISS before she turns around and sees how fucked she is, and that fucking jerkass frog. I liked that Stone was smart but also believably dumb at times. When she missed things or made mistakes, it felt realistic.

Mostly, how is this movie real.

I can't wait! I'm gonna see it tomorrow, unless Something Happens.

I very much liked Gravity. It is very entertaining. I have to say that if you have anxiety issues, this is not the movie for you. Like, at all. I'm serious. I'm okay and there was a point in the movie (about halfway through) where I actually thought: "I am not sure I want to be watching this movie anymore."

I came out on the other side, but damn.

Sandra Bullock acted her ass off. I was amazed and thrilled she put in such a good performance.

She was so good. The scene with her telling the baby on Earth that she was going to die was devastating. "That's the clip they're playing at the Oscars," I thought.

I don't know how to feel about the fact that they made the third crew member with lines a brown dude and then killed him off immediately. In a movie like this, he would have to die, so I'm leaning toward "Yay, inclusion?" but still. Heh.

Also, speaking of Apollo 13, fucking loved that they got Ed Harris.

P-C,

The movie was not long, they could have had a flashback scene or shown him speaking or something. Clearly the budget was on the two megastars' salaries and the special effects.

I don't know how to feel about the fact that....

I see where you're coming from, PC. In a similar vein, I was worried when George got back in the capsule, that it was going to be, oh, she needs a MAN to save her. But then hah, hallucination reveal. (Funny, I know how she feels, I have hallucinations about George Clooney all the time ).

I think the focus on just two main characters was a dramatic and not a budget decision .

Fiona,

I suppose you are right, but the director had a lot of problems finishing this film. I suspect a lot of stuff was left on the editing floor.

Based on the Q&A I was at with Cuaron, I doubt there was ever any intent to show the ground crew or any flashbacks that made it past the script stage. The difficulties finishing the film mostly had to do with the fact that none of the technology they needed to pull it off existed when they started pre-production 4 years ago. And that this film's pre-vis had to be as detailed and polished as most film's final post-production. Barely anything was left on the cutting room floor - anything that was cut was cut before the actors were even brought on board.

On PC's note, another film critic friend of mine mentioned bemusedly on FB that this movie - hard sci-fi with an incredibly strong female lead - fails the Bechdel test, and is now inundated with people responding with "Oh, that's so disappointing." Except, no! It's impossible to say more without spoiling, but it fails the Bechdel test on the incredible technicality that for like 70% of the movie there ARE NO OTHER CHARACTERS AT ALL. She can't have a conversation with another woman because SHE IS ALL ALONE IN MOTHERFUCKING SPACE. In terms of the Bechdel test being a thought experiment to identify movies that tell female stories, this one passes with flying colors.

With regards to the female issue, I thought the "my dad wanted a boy" line was interesting, but don't quite know what to make of it yet.