2001: A Space Odyssey Movie Review

2001: A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick (1968) 

A " mind-bending sci fi symphony". Never has there been a more accurate description for a movie then this. 2001: A space odyssey Is one of those once in a lifetime experiences. The first time I watched this film there were so many different thought's and feelings running through my head from confusion to intrigue to down right terrified. Although we never really get too see the full story of this movie come through, as Phill hall said's "Perhaps the beauty of 2001 is appreciating that some of the best stories are the ones that are half-told" (Phill Hall) We don't need to understand the full story, Interpretation comes from the viewers ideas and thoughts, something that Kubrick has managed to succeed with through this masterpiece of film making 

As the film opens we see many beautifully framed shots of desert landscaped, encapsulating the environment that was once our world, free of human influence and destruction. After a short time we see ourselves. or what we once were. Ape like creatures with little intelligence fighting among themselves until they encounter the mysterious monolith. 

An image that all film fans and critics have ingrained into there minds as deep as King Kong hanging onto the Empire State building. A dark monolith, black as space itself surrounded by curious pre-humans. An endless choir in the background conveying a foreboding atmosphere. It is through this monolith that we evolved into the beings that we are today. Venturing into space and colonising other planets as seen in the next shot that catapults us millions of years into the future.

Kubricks designs for what life would be like in 2001 are astonishing, as is his interpretations of space and the way things would act and interact in an low gravity environment. Everything in the interior's of his ships are clean and pure white, showing how we have grown to crave perfection and cleanliness. The integration of HAL 9000, a computer AI that I would deem as the most influential AI in Film history. His monotone voice and complete lack of empathy makes him a truly terrifying, knowing that that type of software is not far out of our reach. Kubrick has created a world that is so grounded in reality whilst still being able to convey a science fiction type storyline is what truly makes this film ground breaking as explained by Smithy "With his virtuosic adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke's novel, Stanley Kubrick invented the modern science fiction film". (Cole Smithy) There were many shows and movies before this that tried to explore the future and non had created as much of a masterpiece as Kubrick could.

"2001 certainly is a colossal bore, unless you're on its wavelength, in which case it's one of the greatest films of all time" (Chris Barsanti) While I agree that his movie, if not fully appreciated by the audience will bore many film goers before they even manage to reach the future sections of the story. The sound design makes you feel incredibly uncomfortable and the characters are very one faced and expressionless, However I feel that this adds to the world that Kubrick has created. In space there is nothing, no sound, no light. The characters on the shuttle have only themselves and a robotic AI who cant convey emotions. In that kind of environment I feel that people would start to become desensitized to any kind of feelings. During the scene when Dave is watching a video message from his parents, wishing him a happy birthday, he doesn't seem happy, sad or lonely. He just goes back to talking to HAL one of the only other people he has to interact too and who will eventually try to kill him.  

To sum up this movie is a spectacular science fiction movie that really pushed the boundaries of what directors can achieve, however if not watched in the right context or mindset will really grind on the audience who will be unlikely to finish the movie and get to the better parts of the film. 

Bibliography

Phill Hall, Film Snobbery, September 16, 2010
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1000085-2001_a_space_odyssey/?search=2001

Cole Smithy, ColeSmithy.com, September 3, 2010
http://www.colesmithey.com/capsules/2010/09/2001-a-space-odyssey.html (Original link is not working at this moment in time)

Chris Barsanti, FilmCritic.com, November 8, 2007
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1000085-2001_a_space_odyssey/?search=2001 (Original link is not working at this moment in time)