I think, more than anything else, human beings are most afraid of isolation, that dreaded feeling of being alone. No one likes to be without friends, family or pets, but in order to work in the unforgivable confines of space, one has to be isolated from everything they hold dear. That’s the springboard for Gravity, a movie like nothing else I’ve seen this year, or any other year for that matter. Days after experiencing it’s power, I’m still at a loss to comprehend it’s countless achievements or the numerous ways it changes the way we look at visuals effects, Sandra Bullock or sci-fi cinema.

Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is an astronaut, one of a select few people who are stationed on the outskirts of our planet. While she and Matt (George Clooney) do some repairs, debris hits their space station, sending the two flying through the oxygen and gravity-free vastness of space. With very little time on their side, they must make it to another space station if they want to have any hope of returning to the planet they call home.

His whole career, namely in transforming the Harry Potter film franchise into greatness with Prisoner of Azkaban, has been defined by the fact that it’s cutting edge and full of risks. But that’s just how director Alfonso Cuaron rolls, and here, he unveils the epitome of risky cinema with every choice and plot point shown in Gravity.

Amazingly, it all works perfectly, with the things he accomplishes here not just merely interesting but also capable of breaking new ground in cinema and allowing us a new perspective on what can be achieved through the power of film. The film never settles on it’s laurels, whether through an opening shot that lasts more than twenty-five minutes or the surprisingly brutal backstory behind Ryan Stone. As if all of that weren’t enough, Curason also reiterates the power of 3D through the technology’s phenomenal presence in this film. Whether it’s heightening the danger the protagonists are enduring or allowing debris to fly out towards the audience, it’s vital that you experience this film in the third dimension.

But it’s not just in 3D and unconventional directing methods that make Gravity a daring masterpiece; it’s Sandra Bullock’s amazing performance here that really sells the movie. Playing a character unlike any other in her whole career, Bullock brings Ryan Stone to startling life, conveying the feelings of growing desperation and determination during the course of the movie in riveting fashion. Your attention never wavers from her plight, with Bullock commanding the screen with ease no matter the situation.

The only other major actor to appear regularly in the film is George Clooney.  His easy going personality provides contrast to Bullock’s character, and Clooney does it with style and flair. Both actors bring so much to their roles, to the point where the actors (especially Bullock) are easily the highlight in a film full of such things.

It’s hard to pinpoint a single perfect thing in Gravity, only because most things in the film are perfect.  Taking cues from Stanley Kubrick and human feelings of fear and isolation as inspiration, Alfonso Cuaron has created a film that we’ll be looking at for years to come as one that changed the landscape of sci-fi film. With two of the best performances of any film this year, not to mention a stupendous script, beautiful 3D, a suspenseful tone that never lets up, mind-blowing visual effects;  “Gravity” is one of the years best films, without question, and should not be missed.