Ever since it was brought back into fashion by the spectacular sci-fi film, Avatar (2009), 3D technology has become a polarising subject for cinemagoers. In an attempt to cash in on the success of the James Cameron epic, countless film-makers implemented the technology as an afterthought. It resulted in a backlash from fans who did not understand why they had to pay extra for a poorly executed feature. On the other hand, Ang Lee’s Life of Pi proved that, when implemented tastefully, the technology was capable of elevating the cinematic experience.

But if Avatar set the ball rolling as far as 3D films are concerned, Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity has hit that ball straight into orbit. Not since Avatar has a 3D film absolutely begged to be watched on the silver screen.

Watching this space drama at home would be like trying to understand the beauty of Paris by viewing a tourist’s video on YouTube; to really appreciate Gravity you must see it on the big screen. Gravity is a tense and at times haunting survival drama, working at the masterful pacing of an Alfred Hitchcock thriller.

The film begins with Dr Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), a medical engineer and specialist on her first space mission, who is working on the outside of Space Shuttle Explorer during a spacewalk. Accompanying her is her commander, Lieutenant Matt Kowalski (George Clooney), a cool-as-ice veteran on the final mission of his career.

Gravity only takes 10 minutes to set up the plot as we soak in the stunning visuals of planet Earth from outer space. The next 80 minutes pass by in the blink of an eye.

While Dr Stone is servicing the Hubble Space Telescope, a message from Mission Control in Huston informs the team that a missile strike on a satellite has resulted in a chain reaction, forming a cloud of lethal space debris which is rapidly moving in their direction. The team realise that they must head for cover and abort their mission. To make matters worse, they lose communication with Mission Control. The debris, travelling at the speed of a bullet with projectiles as large as a human head, reaches and destroys the explorer in a frightening sequence. It leaves Stone detached from the shuttle and short on oxygen, causing the doctor to hyperventilate. Kowalski manages to survive unharmed, and using his thrusters, is able to rescue Stone. Here, the duo soon discovers that there are no survivors left on their team. Without the assistance of Mission Control, they are left with only their wits. They devise a plan where they must move to the International Space Station to find supplies and locate an escape pod.

Here, Gravity cleverly weaves several plot devices into the narrative to maintain a high degree of tension, yet does so organically, so as not to cheapen the plot. With the loss of communication with Mission Control, the film creates a sense of desperation for its two characters, yet also ensures that viewers understand what the characters are planning, by having a hopeful Kowalski constantly send mission updates back to Huston. The film also creates a constant sense of dread with the debris scheduled to return every 90 minutes.

Aside from Clooney and Bullock, Gravity is powered by two other stars; cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, whose breathtaking work provides the film with awe-inspiring images that will surely cement his status on par with Freddie Young (Lawrence of Arabia); and 3D stereographer Chris Parks, who here creates a cinematic circus that is nothing short of sublime.

Gravity’s cinematic pull isn’t without flaws. The science of the film has been questioned by many experts, including Earth’s favourite astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, who has claimed that many of the film’s sequences are outside of the realm of possibility. That being said, skeptics say that they enjoyed the film and have expressed hope that it will spark an interest in space travel.

Whether Gravity ignites an interest in space remains to be seen, but it should warm plenty of seats in the cinema. In terms of technical splendor, Gravity is its generation’s Citizen Kane — a landmark achievement.