Classic Film Review- 2001: A Space Odyssey

This film was released in 1968.

2001: A Space Odyssey is directed by Stanley Kubrick who also produced and co-wrote the script by Arthur C. Clark, the writer of the original novel. Following its release in 1968, it quickly became recognized as a masterpiece and in 1991 the United States Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

On a lunar base, scientists are concerned that Clavius Base might have an epidemic, as it has gone silent. However, it is revealed that an alien artifact has been found. As Dr. Heywood Floyd (William Sylvester) examines it, it is hit by sunlight, causing it to emit a powerful signal. Eighteen months later, the crew of Discovery One, Dr. David Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Dr. Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood), suspect that the space vessel’s artificial intelligence HAL (Douglas Rain), is sabotaging them on their mysterious mission.

When I review such an iconic film, I feel myself at a loss for words. Many others have praised the movie and rightly so. I feel anything I could add would be repetitive.

I will say, Stanley Kubrick is a genius. He crafts an excellent tale that touches on themes of exploration, wanting to know your origins, and an over-reliance on AI. It is done in a subtle way and not in the preachy tropes that plague modern Hollywood writers. He allows subtleties and character-building to tell the story of human exploration.

What makes the movie even more engaging is how the effects still hold up. Sure, some of them are a bit dated, but you can enjoy it and its stunning visuals, knowing it was done with precision instead of computer effects.

If I could nitpick two things, I do wish I had connected more with Dave and Frank. They are strangers to the viewers, but we know next to nothing about them. I also find the final sequence a bit odd. I understand the angle that it was going for, but it was still slightly weird.

Any review would be remiss if it did not mention the score. It utilizes classical scores to juxtapose the futuristic setting. It was the perfect note to show the look to the future while honoring the past.

Bottom line, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a brilliant film. It can be enjoyable to the casual audience goer as well as the sci-fi enthusiast. Kubrick brought Clark’s story to life and it has forever made a mark on the genre.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Violence, Disturbing images

FAVORITE QUOTE: You guys have really come up with something.

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, anime, or novel you would like me to review.