Gravity - Teaser Trailer Review

As I don't have a great deal to say about this teaser trailer which has been released today, I felt there is certainly enough excitement and elements within the 1 minute 30 second look that we got.

Gravity is an upcoming film directed and co-written by Alfonso Cuaron who previously directed and co-wrote the epic sci-fi film 'Children of Men'. Of course this isn't the only film he is known for, he has worked on other movies including Y Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Arguably the sole reason that I am writing this review of the teaser trailer that we have been brought is because of the fact that is the next project Cuaron will be working on. I absolutely love Children of Men, undoubtedly one of my favourite sci-fi films of all time which makes the concept and look of Gravity mouth-wateringly appealing to me.

Starting off with the slight indication of plot that we have to work with, it seems fairly simple. Two astronauts travelling deep in the uncharted areas of space are forced to battle to return to Earth after their shuttle is destroyed by oncoming debris. Now the travel and the synopsis we have so far don't really cover anything else apart from that. They give us no signs in the many directions that this film could take but I have reassurance that Cuaron can take this simple storyline, and more than make enough of it to interest and maintain our investment for the film. He will add some spins on to the narrative as it seems to fall into the thriller category which I seemingly expect he will have no problem in delivering on.

The tone of the film is something that grabs my attention also. Alfonso Cuaron is renown for his seemingly dark tone and almost depressive take on concepts that he carries out. This is evident in certainly the few films of his that I have seen and works perfect in harmony with what he is trying to create on screen. What Gravity seems to be trying to achieve from the glimpses of footage we have, is that very effect. It comes across as very unnerving and a huge sigh of claustrophobia was reflected by myself when watching the teaser trailer. I can't help but think that this is going to be significant on whether or not the audience is going to love or hate the film. If he can maintain this atmosphere throughout the film, the suspense will be deathly and it will make for a satisfying thriller if all other levels can be achieved.

Now it is hardly a large cast that he has to work with. It literally is just the two characters who are going through this experience which we will be seeing which is a great idea in my opinion. I don't want to have to cut back and forth between these characters and others who are possibly trying to help or have heard of the ordeal back on Earth etc. I want to be with the two protagonists throughout this journey that they have will have to undergo in order to survive and make it back to Earth safely. This I feel will be able to fully bring out the effect that the film will have, linking back to my mentions of claustrophobia. Being with these characters every second and every minute of the running time will help to provide required development, bringing the connection between the audience and characters full, front and centre, allowing us to have some relatability to them. George Clooney and Sandra Bullock are certainly intriguing choices made for the film and ones that could either enhance or hinder audience response. Personally I don't rate Sandra Bullock as an actress, there are some actors who you can say "Well yeah, she/he has been in bad films, but they're not a bad actor/actress" she is not one. She may have made bad career choices but I don't think that she has had the opportunities to make the right ones. Maybe this could be her chance to prove me wrong and turn the tables on her fading career. As for Clooney, I think he will fit the look and tone that the movie is going for, as well as handling the sci-fi element perfectly as he has somewhat of a diverse pallet of acting ability. It will be interesting to see him in this genre of film anyway, that is for sure.

One thing that sold it for me, not only to write this review of the teaser trailer but for the film in general was the POV sequence preview we received. It seems to be used in the destruction of the space craft which seems like the perfect place to show off the unique visuals that the film will have to offer. Seen as though this will be the full frontal set piece and the main body for the film and its outcome, it seems like a great inclusion on their part. Something about it was so simplistic yet very stylish which credit is definitely due to the director of photography and Cuaron for their choice of camerawork. The effects that were shown at a very minimum amount seemed really good, and something that is necessarily expected with the level of technology available these days.

All in all, I have raised hopes about this film now after seeing what it could look like. I hadn't really come across any information or insight beforehand, but the teaser trailer has helped me look forward to the film as I think it certainly has the potential to be an enjoyable cinema experience at the very least. Even the possibility of being a really good sci-fi film, considering that Alfonso Cuaron is at the helm of the project.

Here is the trailer for Gravity:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJuRS5WocWY