Buzz Aldrin On Gravity

Gravity has been getting some phenomenally good reviews over the last few days, with critics and the public alike. Alfonso Cuarón's tale of two astronauts cut adrift in space has really captured the public's imagination with its blend of sci-fi, disaster movie and warm human drama, all wrapped up in visual spectacle like you've never seen. It's rare to find a review that doesn't call it one of the best films of the year.

But now somebody who is more qualified than almost anyone on Earth (pun intended, but apologised for) has weighed in with his thoughts. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, actual spaceman and genuine legend Buzz Aldrin gives his verdict on the year's most exciting movie.

"I was so extravagantly impressed by the portrayal of the reality of zero gravity. Going through the space station was done just the way that I've seen people do it in reality. The spinning is going to happen -- maybe not quite that vigorous -- but certainly we've been fortunate that people haven't been in those situations yet. I think it reminds us that there really are hazards in the space business, especially in activities outside the spacecraft.

"I was happy to see someone moving around the spacecraft the way George Clooney was. It really points out the degree of confusion and bumping into people, and when the tether gets caught, you're going to be pulled -- I think the simulation of the dynamics was remarkable.

"We were probably not as lighthearted as Clooney and Sandra Bullock. We didn't tell too many jokes when people were in some position of jeopardy outside the spacecraft, but I think that's the humanity coming through in the characters. This movie gave great clarity to looking down and seeing the features of Earth … but there weren't enough clouds, and maybe there was too precise a delineation from space.

"I know: If you're looking down at Earth, you're looking through an atmosphere that has a bit of haze in many places and not just occasional clouds. Here, the precision was remarkable, though you might need a pretty good spy telescope to see that well.

"We're in a very precarious position of losing all the advancements we've made in space that we did 40 years ago, 50 years ago. From my perspective, this movie couldn't have come at a better time to really stimulate the public. I was very, very impressed with it."

So there you have it - Gravity is officially endorsed by a genuine space legend.

Gravity is out now in the US, and hits UK cinemas on the 8th November.