MovieChat Forums > Gravity (2013) Discussion > Why I hate Gravity (not trolling, I fail...

Why I hate Gravity (not trolling, I fail to find better words)

posted 9 years ago by garfieldhq
83 replies | jump to latest

(in no particular order)
1. Hideous dialog. The worst I have seen in major movie.
2. Unbelievable stereotypes, truly unbelievable for this day of age. ("the arab guy", "the russians", "the Clooney guy")
3. Embarrassing "realism". I cringe to think people take "this is what it is to be in space" (Hint: It is not. Space is boring - you are either take small, slow, triple-checked steps, playing it by the book or you are dead. There is no "action" in space, sorry.)

4 (The major one) It pretends, and sadly succeeds, to be "a serous movie", one "for gown ups", not "a summer blockbuster". People, which will not normally like "action/comic" movies went to see this and liked it. They liked "the sensory experience" they say. O, boy, kids made Transformers a hit, exactly for the same reason - they go for the show. And now "the grown ups" have their show too, great, too bad most of the "comic crap" have better story, dialog and acting then this one.

Not Transformars, but this movie, is a prime example of "a movie without substance - only effects". I am amazed how many people are literary blind by the "the sensory experience" to see the silhouette of one truly weak movie.

[–] granitodiaz 9 years ago

This is a superficial movie

also see this: http://whatculture.com/film/oscars-2014-7-reasons-gravity-shouldnt-win -best-picture.php

[–] TRhett 9 years ago

So was Avatar, now that you mention it. They might as well have painted British actors blue and told the history of 18th - 19th Century British imperialism. But then . . . that wouldn't have been as much fun, now would it?

[–] kswiss89 9 years ago

Well, in my opinion, Avatar was also a severely overrated movie.

Even though Im no more than a monster - don't I, too, have the right to live? -Oh Dae-Su

[–] WoodCheese 8 years ago

Avatar was garbage, and so was Gravity, IMO. It's subjective though. People who like Star Wars and Spiderman will like these movies. People who like French New Wave films will not even look that way. It has nothing to do with being pretentious; it's just personal taste.

However, nobody can argue against the fact that films like Avatar and Gravity have almost no substance and are mostly visual "porn." And films like 400 Blows have no "visual porn" but only substance. Two different beasts. So it's up to you whichever you choose, either choice is fine, just don't go out and tell me that *beep* Avatar has something special in its derivative, simplistic story.

[–] corrinadylan 8 years ago

I am sure some of the film critics who like Gravity like La Nouvelle Vague, too. I'm not sure why you think being a fan of both is unlikely. I like Gravity, as well as Breathless, Band of Outsiders, and The 400 Blows, but some of the French New Wave films were all about style and little else. Their cynicism and technique made them seem more interesting than they really were. Cuaron's Y Tu Mama Tambien had more realistic characters than many of the French films I've seen, and I'm inclined to group him with mainstream arthouse Mexican directors Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. James Cameron's films are very different, so I'm not sure what Avatar has in common with Gravity apart from the fact that both films have fantastic visuals. Gravity has its flaws, but subjectivity does not justify calling it trash. I don't think there is anything wrong with a film that relies on pure spectacle or visceral appeal.

[–] pjmcgill142 9 years ago

Embarrassing "realism". I cringe to think people take "this is what it is to be in space" (Hint: It is not. Space is boring - you are either take small, slow, triple-checked steps, playing it by the book or you are dead. There is no "action" in space, sorry.)

Where do you get the idea this movie contains 'embarrassing "realism"? Any number of astronauts have given the movie a '2 thumbs up' when talking of its ability to put you out 'there'.

You're certainly not the first one to make these sorts of statements... but can you explain the logic underlying your conclusion? You've been there, right?

Space is boring

And after more than 50 years of manned spaceflight, that would be the first time I've ever heard a flown astronaut describe life in orbit as 'boring'. Yes, things are checked to the nth degree, but maybe you've forgotten a couple of incidents... Gemini 6, Gemini 8, any of the evas on Gemini 9,10 and 11. Apollo 13? Then there's a number of the STS missions with main engine shut-offs seconds prior to launch. The one with the engine shut-down during powered ascent, to name just a few where the astronauts dodged the proverbial bullet. Boring? As those guys with the right stuff say, 'that certainly got my attention!'

But you cringed. And thanks for the hints... they will come in handy.

...are literary blind by...

Now this I really hate. Where are the Health & Safety people when movies are making people blind?? It has to stop.

[–] garfieldhq 9 years ago

I knew it I will be in trouble for the boring stuff.
I did't meant to mean it is not dangerous or boring in the sense "there isn't much to happen".
'Boring' I mean in a Hollywood sense. Minutes, evens seconds after the *action* starts - you are dead. Yes, there are close calls, yes there are clever thinking to avoid death, but this cowboy-style action, space - in currents state - lack almost completely.

I remember seeing the trailer, and in the first few seconds I though "Wow, great, a modern-day man-in-space movie!" But the moment everything started flying around and characters started jumping around like this is a train in the Wild West I was "Why? Why do you have to do this?!? Space is dangerous (and cool) without all this stuff!" And I decided not to see it... until the hype got me I *had* to see it (and regret it).

In any case I haven't voted 1/10. The fact that I hate what it represents does not make it the worst movie in the world. It's about 6 - a weak movie with great visuals and setting - nothing more, nothing less.

[–] pjmcgill142 9 years ago

I knew it I will be in trouble for the boring stuff.

Well, you did lead with your chin, didn't you?

'Boring' I mean in a Hollywood sense. Minutes, evens seconds after the *action* starts - you are dead. Yes, there are close calls, yes there are clever thinking to avoid death, but this cowboy-style action, space - in currents state - lack almost completely.

Sorry. You'll have to run this by me again. Boring in 'a Hollywood sense'? Cowboy-style..?

But the moment everything started flying around and characters started jumping around like this is a train in the Wild West I was "Why? Why do you have to do this?!? Space is dangerous (and cool) without all this stuff!" And I decided not to see it... until the hype got me I *had* to see it (and regret it).

So what are you saying? You misunderstood the trailer? The film wasn't what you expected? Is that Cuaron's fault?

"Wow, great, a modern-day man-in-space movie!"

But it is. And a great one at that.

Hideous dialog. The worst I have seen in major movie.

I disagree, but despite that, you still give it a 6?

The fact that I hate what it represents does not make it the worst movie in the world.

What does this movie represent?

Oh, and your comment about 'embarrassing realism'. Can we get back to that? I'm wondering how your comment

a weak movie with great visuals and setting - nothing more, nothing less.

integrates with 'embarrassing realism'. After all, you were cringing (literally) at the thought people might think this movie is what it's like to be in space.
I've quoted Dave Wolf a couple of times here. His comments are at odds to your observations.

Anyway; just wanted to discuss a couple of your observations. That's all.

[–] TRhett 9 years ago

WHY are you encouraging him? Surely someone as (obviously) web-savvy as you knows Rule #1: "DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS OR THE HATERS-FOR-THE-SAKE-OF-ARGUING TYPES!" It's like throwing gasoline on a fire. There is at least one on EVERY board spewing misdirected bile (sometimes I think, "Wonder what they're REALLY so bitter about . . . ?") I don't care if it's "Citizen Kane" or "Psycho" . . . there is GOING to be at least one. Just let them drivel . . .

[–] pjmcgill142 9 years ago

It's like throwing gasoline on a fire.

Personally I like a good bon-fire.
And you would've noticed that there has been little discussion on this one for a few months...

[–] pjmcgill142 9 years ago

Sorry, but had to check this one...

Unbelievable stereotypes, truly unbelievable for this day of age. ("the arab guy"...

So an 'arab guy'; a man of science (or engineering) at the very top of his profession who is working in orbit on the STS... a good man (after all, we have no information to the contrary) just doing his job... is a stereotype? C'mon... really?

[–] ChuckFinnley 9 years ago

Err... you know it's a movie, right? You also know, I hope, it's not a true story, right?
You know this movie is a thriller of sorts and no thriller is 100% realistic, right?
Now since you complain about realism in this movie so much, what do you know about realism in question? Have you been in space and have first-hand knowledge of how people behave in space, how they talk and what physically is possible. If not, then what you are whining about here is truly laughable and pathetic.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] paulbeardsley 9 years ago

Very well said, JDCamilleri. I am so sick of these same old dismissals of actually valid criticism.

The other one that comes up a lot is the, "I'm just looking for entertainment." As if being entertaining requires educated people to be excluded!

That's the clock done, now for the chairs.

[–] C_Jet 9 years ago

I couldn't help but think of watching "The NASA channel" or whatever in school, of real time space walks. OP can watch 90 min. of that if he wants realism. It's a phenomenal accomplishment, but akin to watching paint dry.

[–] jozzcooper 9 years ago

I think what garfieldhq is trying to say is that, for a major film with so much acclaim, it's surprisingly flawed.

I agree about the dialogue. I just saw it tonight for the first time, and they should have thrown out the dialogue and started over. The worst part of it was the "humor". I haven't read up on it, but did they allow Bullock et. al. make up their own one-liners? It had that feel.

The stereotypes weren't distracting, although the Russians' stunt was an eye-roller. While it was decently realistic, I did have several 'now wait a minute....' moments. The least believable aspect was the brilliant doctor acting like such a bonehead throughout. Was her character designed as one of those awesomely focused people who are amazing at one thing, but clueless otherwise? I guess I can buy that. As for the 'no action in space' bit, the poster probably means that the milieu is not well-suited for thrilling action sequences.

I didn't hate Gravity. Many things conspired to make me dislike it, however. It beat to death several scenes. I never cared for the main character, nor the dialogue. The "barking" scene was my low-point. It felt a lot longer than its run time, even with a bit of an abrupt ending. For those who really liked it, good. For those who were turned off by it, I can sympathize. To each their own.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] kylemonroe08 9 years ago

That doesn't make the dialogue any less ham-fisted

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] hansenmv2002 9 years ago

It was visually cool; AND - with FF I got thru it in about half the real time (still too long...).

Springfield Sperm Bank "Put your sperm in our hands"

[–] Bunker 9 years ago

If you have to say that your not trolling, then you are trolling.

[–] thugangel123 9 years ago

"the arab guy"

Sharrif was either Pakistani or Indian. He was listening to a Hindi song.

[–] nakedgirl 9 years ago

because you broke your leg

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[–] juliagoesdutch 9 years ago

agree with you…overrated