Trailer Tuesday: Gravity

Is there anything as frightening as the prospect of becoming unmoored in space and floating off alone into the great black abyss? Is there anything potentially more boring to watch for 2 hours on the big screen? That will certainly be the major challenge facing Gravity, the latest effort from Children of Men and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón.

This contemplative sci-fi thriller stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts who find themselves stranded in space when their shuttle is destroyed. And that's really it, plotwise. Then again, it's foolish to prejudge Gravity. After all, there have been many harrowing and completely engrossing movie survival tales in the past - think Cast Away, 127 Hours and Open Water.

Cuaron is also a director known for his visual flair and Gravity promises a 17-minute unbroken opening take, which should certainly be interesting.

Still, I'm reserving judgement with this one. Initially set for release in 2012, Gravity was delayed by almost a year. And test screenings last year were apparently wildly divisive, with some calling it a masterpiece and others a pretentious bore. Personally I think viewers' response to the film will hinge on how seriously they take Bullock as an actress, given that she evidently has to carry the film for 80% on her own. That itself makes for an intriguing prospect.

Screening in 2D and "Danger, Will Robinson, danger!" CONVERTED 3D,  Gravity opens in the United States on 4 October. The film has a tentative South African release date of 29 November.