Once in a while, there comes a movie that captivates the audience’s attention with two key elements: good acting and great special effects. Alien, Lord of the Rings, or even the recent Life of Pi have entertained the audiences with powerful performances and imaginary scenery.

Gravity just might be one of those movies. It was to me. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men), it tells the story of Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), on her first mission servicing the Hubble Space Telescope. Along for the ride is Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) who is on his last mission before retirement.

What a way to go out.

Almost immediately debris from a Russian anti-satellite test crashes into their worksite. Now only tethered to each other, Stone and Kowalsky have to figure out a way back to the International Space Station.

Say what you will about the scientific inaccuracies, this movie is beautiful. It creates unbelievable imagery out in space. For example in the sunrise or the Northern Lights.

The whole movie takes place in a zero gravity, and sound is nonexistent. That doesn’t mean music is. The score creates a chilling background to Stone’s ordeal, and it builds suspense with each key.

It’s not just about the special effects. This is a human survival story that happens to take place in space. Actors needed for these roles have to make the audience root for their win, and both Bullock and Clooney achieve that. Clooney is as suave and charming as he seems to be in real life and he and Bullock share a flirtatious banter that puts the audience at ease, even when they are seemingly dying. Bullock has the hard part. There is never a scene without her, and she conveys each emotion Stone has with ease. Bullock elicits reactions from the viewers with each look on her face or spoken word that she whispers or screams.

Clearly, I enjoyed it. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and had a relatable plot in the hands of seasoned actors. See it, if only to bask in the warmth of George Clooney’s voice.