To-the-point and dull-free tale of astronaut Bullock trying to make her way back to Earth safely after an accidental mid-orbit destruction of a shuttle leaves her stranded in outer space. Effects-driven (but what space odyssey isn't?), but charmingly simplistic when it all comes right down to it, with a story and cast that makes it worth your while. Maybe striving for a protagonist slightly more theatrical would remedy the film's interchangeable choice of casting—though all the actors involved do an undeniably satisfying job. Kudos for being a 3D film that has just as much appeal in 2D. Worth seeing.

★★★ (out of four)