Written and Directed By: Stanley Kubrick
Staring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richtor, Leonard Rossiter, and Margaret Tyzack
1001 Movie Club Rating: 9/10
I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do. -HAL
Review
I might be a fan of the raunchy comedy, movies where shit gets blown up, but science fiction is where my heart lies. I’m even okay with a vapid entertaining science fiction film, but every now and again there is something far deeper and more exciting than action, special effects, and excitement. Kubrick went beyond this with 2001: A Space Odyssey and achieved what I still feel is a piece of art in the film world.
2001 is and always will be a controversial film as far as it’s legitimacy is concerned, but I still feel like whether it’s appreciated or not, it should be respected for breaking through barriers that so many films hadn’t. The lack of dialogue and the incredibly beautiful imagery capturing the vastness of space, and using simplicity to capture the very important inquiries about evolution, where man has been, where man is, and where man is going. The very surprising aspect the story takes is the introduction to technology, Dr. Bowman, and the all important HAL.
The most villainous computerized space traveler save one is without a doubt Hal 9000. The slow progression into his terrifying deception and rational cruelty is the “X” factor that really propels the second half of 2001: A Space Odyssey. The creepy feel of the solitude of space is perfectly contrasted by the even colder companion of Hal 9000, the most frightening computer in space.
In the midst of the visual canopy produced, the eerie vastness of space time, is the remarkable score that haunts the back round. Insanely beautifully and undoubtedly the heart that pumps the proverbial blood throughout, the soundtrack has a massive impact on this crazed film.
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When it comes to movies, this is one of the few that were inspiring enough to make me wish I had made the choices in my life that would have allowed me to make movies, so I could have my own immortal masterpiece. 2001 is not for everyone, and will forever be subject to arguments, but in my book it’s one of the films that changed the way I looked at film, and more importantly the way I appreciate film. This for me, it is Kubrick’s masterpiece, and one of the most important movies ever made.
Do you like 2001? Rate it!
This film is beautiful… the outer space stuff is amazing… HAL is the ultimate computer baddy (Spacey wishes he was HAL in Moon)… but can somebody explain the end to me. I’ve heard several interpretations and I’m not sure I like any of them!
Regardless, I’m with you Heather, this film should just be appreciated for what it is… a beautiful experiment in filmmaking!
I wanted to like this film, but I just couldn’t get my head around it. For me it looked and sounded fantastic (blu ray) but the start and end were beyond me and in general the film seemed a bit drawn out. Technically though, it’s still a masterpiece – who needs CGI?!!?
I hate to sound elitist, but if anyone argues the legitimacy of this film, (not their enjoyment of it, but the legitimacy) I immediately think, “Well you got a lot to learn about cinema, buddy.” You’re right, it’s not for everyone. But it has a kind of built in failsafe. For those who don’t like it and can provide reasons why, it’s easy to just say that’s the point of the film. It’s not meant to be liked. But it can definitely be likable. Lovable even. So, I suppose a real reason someone can roll their eyes at this film is more because of the fact that film enthusiasts won’t allow an inch of negativity near it, ha.
@ Kai — my interpretation (this was after watching it on 2 hits of LSD and 1 hit of ecstasy and after having finished reading the book that week)—In Dave Bowman’s (BTW–David the biblical character that defeated an ogre with a tool/weapon and became king: Bow [a tool] Man–a man who uses tools to thrive) transition from man to star child, he enters the space-time continuum. This transition puts him at all points of space-time, so that he is able to view his life instantaneously. And though he dies in mortal terms, he actually becomes a part of the greater puzzle of the universe: returns back to star dust from where his matter was conceived and is recycled into a new, higher form of consciousness.
BTW, Heather is hot
Thanks FRC on your explanation and the compliment.
I admit my first viewing came pretty otherwise induced as well, but I’ve seen it a handful of times since under no such influence and feel it enjoyable on both ends, but I think both perspectives allow you to see the story very differently as well. However, as you have described it, that for me would be the most commonly accepted explanation and interpretation and very close to my own feelings.
Thanks for sharing.
I personally liked this film but can easily see how someone wouldn’t enjoy it. It can be a trial to get through with long moments of nothing going on. Everyone should at least be able to respect that the film is a stunning visual trip and even the haters have probably done their best HAL impersonation while telling someone that they’re ‘sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.’
Close the pod bay doors HAL.
It’s so eerie, even if the rest of the film doesn’t get ya.
The first time I saw this I was sure I hated it. Kubrick isn’t a favorite director of mine, but I respect his vision and technical ability. I’m a woman who loves character-driven films, so this one left me cold. But then I made myself watch it AGAIN and I saw what everyone fell in love with. The visuals are flabbergasting and beautiful and game-changing in the way that the ones in “Avatar” were.
It is extraordinary and I agree it’s without interesting characters, but that’s part of what I found so interesting about all of it. Even now it’s this mysterious piece of movie art that has changed my perspective on movies in general.
Hey. This film is just mind boggling. Can’t even begin to imagine what Kubrick’s real feelings on it were. Like, could he explain what was going on himself?? And if so, could I even understand it? probably not.
Nice commentary here. Can you believe the shelling it took from critics when it first came out? You are right, it’s not for everyone – but as you say, it did change cinema and is a deeply profound piece of work. I’m not a sci-fi guy, but I love Kubrick. I need to be in the mood to sit back and watch this…..
Kubrick is a gift to cinema, pure and simple. All this talk about it lately has made me want to watch it again.
Its a film that will test your comfort zone, especially when it comes movie viewing. But, it is one of the most influential sci-fi films of all-time, and brings up great questions about a universe we may never know about. Check out my review here: http://dtmmr.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/2001-a-space-odyssey-1968/ Nice Review!
No I don’t like it, I know many are going to (and do) like it, though. Obviously it’s technically and aesthetically outstanding but I really do think a “good” film is more than the sum of the parts. Though I will say art needs to come from the artist regardless of response, it’s never art until someone says it is (on that note, all you seem to love it so it’s definitely art).
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Great comment! I really like this movie. Were you aware that Kubrik threw the entire score out at the last minute and that’s why they used the music they did. Ironically, a great choice.
this movie is just not my type..
feel boring in the beginning and stop the player after 30 minute
This movie is about our eternal journey.
We all come from a low animal conciousness and
then go on and on to ever higher spiritual levels.