What a real NASA astronaut thinks of the film Gravity

Herald Sun ^ | 10/19/13 | GARRETT REISMAN, FORMER NASA ASTRONAUT FORBES

[SoFloFreeper]

GRAVITY is the most realistic space movie ever. I mean, that Clooney guy looks just like me!

Actually I've been besieged with questions about what I thought about this movie ever since it came out. Just here at work at SpaceX last week,I was asked that question about a dozen times a day. I quipped that "What do you think of Gravity?" was becoming every astronaut's least favourite question, surpassing even "How do you poop in space?"

So, to help me deal with this onslaught, here is my more serious attempt at a movie review:

First of all, it's a great movie. The pace and story was definitely engaging and I think it was the best use of the 3-D IMAX medium to date. Rather than using the medium as a gimmick, Gravity uses it to depict a real environment that is completely alien to most people.

[SoFloFreeper]

The entire article does have spoiler alerts. They DO warn you. I stopped reading, because I want to see the movie.

[isthisnickcool]

Fantastic movie. Amazing. I’d have enjoyed it with the sound off. Just watching it is a treat.

[Venturer]

Not me Brother: Clooney is on my Sh*t list.

He won’t get a penny of my money.

[Slump Tester]

"He won’t get a penny of my money."

That's why there's bit torrents.

[bigbob]

So, how DO you popp in space?

[henkster]

Went to see it tonight. Yes, it requires suspension of disbelief, but it’s well-done. An excellent movie. And only two actors.

Anyone know the meaning of “Demidov” on the cosmonaut suit? I figured it had to have some significance.

[higgmeister]

I love Sandra Bullock but that is just one more reason that I will never watch this movie. The trailer made me mad, offended, and chagrined that people will watch this and probably enjoy it.

[exit82]

Demidov is a science prize in Russia, like a Nobel Prize.

Could also be someone’s name.

[CyberAnt]

So .. from your question re “Demidov”, did the Russians come to the rescue again ..??

[DB]

So what was the magic force that kept pulling on Clooney when Bullock is holding his line while her foot is tangled in lines? A force that just kept on pulling even though all their momentum had already come to a complete stop...

[Cboldt]

Dark Energy.

[tumblindice]

The actors are real space cadets!

[JRandomFreeper]

There's a fan. The russians have a better system.

/johnny

[jim999]

I’d have to back and look, but it was probably because they were orbiting over D.C. at the time. Or maybe CERN.

[calljack]

Maybe it was.....

Wait for it.....

GRAVITY.

No, that was a little bit of scientific inaccuracy there.
Too bad it was so important the film. They could have done
that plot point any number of ways. They choose poorly.

[GeronL]

I’ll see it in a couple of years on the small screen, probably. The clips of the scenes outside the space station looked pretty awesome.

[TigersEye]

Lord 0bama was in the movie!?!

[morphing libertarian]

space flick on a small screen? Why?

[Skooz]

Just got in from seeing this. My date and I enjoyed it very much. Well made and somewhat plausible. Good escapist movie.

[Vermont Lt]

I saw the movie tonight. We saw it in 3D, but not IMAX. The special effects are going to sweep the Oscars. I think the editing and direction were amazing.

Clearly, this movie lived up to the hype. As one of those who was a spacenut as a kid, there are some obvious issues, but the “movie” overwhelmed them.

And Clooney was charming enough to make you forget what ad bag he is. That is why they call it acting.