2001: A Space Odyssey
Seen: 2000-07-03
Overall: *** 1/2
Writing: *** 1/2
Acting: ** 1/2
Cinematography: ****
Effects: ****
Music: ****
Art: ****
Direction: *** 1/2
Enjoyment: *** 1/2
Venue: Louisville Compound: Bitscape's Lair
Medium: DVD
When I first saw this movie many a year ago, shortly after having read the book, I was... underwhelmed. I mean, I thought the effects were great and all, and the artistry was still simply amazing, but I thought it had many shortcomings when it came to relaying the story as I had read it. I suppose this happens to just about anyone when they read a book, and then later see the movie.
Well, I decided to give it another go. Some web reviews have said that in the case of this work, the book and the movie should be regarded as totally separate entities, and are in fact intended to convey different messages on many aspects of the plot. The book was written by Arther C Clark, the screenplay by Clark and Kubrick. Of course, the movie was directed by Kubrick. Take the book as Clark's spin, and the movie as Kubrick's, and don't look for total consistency.
And so it was that I decided to give the movie another try, this time not imposing on it any expectations -- things that should "live up" to what was written in the book. Besides, what better use for a DVD player than to take a look at some of the classics? :)
The visuals are certainly stunning, even by modern special effects standards. That, in and of itself, is a very amazing feat. The pacing is certainly unusual.
One thing I really noticed -- in contrast to many other space scifi movies and tv shows -- is how effectively the bleak, vast emptiness of space is conveyed. On the mission to Jupiter, one large, -- but oh so small -- lonely little ship drifting for months through... nothingness. Outside the ship, there are no objects anywhere near. Inside, the two conscious travellers stow in virtual silence, except for the occassional transmission from Earth. But in this movie, even the communiqués from relatives seem hollow somehow. And then, of course, there's the infamous HAL 9000. Need I say more?
Finally, the ending. I was left wondering, "What is the meaning of it all?" Not wondering about the meaning of the movie (ok, maybe that too), but the meaning of the entirity of human existence? Another progression on the evolutionary ladder. So what of it?
An old man dying in a white, pristine, vacant room, only to be born into another, larger, grander room of the universe, still just as lifeless and pointless as ever? Or perhaps that's not the point.
I'm done philosophizing. Watch the movie yourself, and draw your own conclusions. :)
When I first saw this movie many a year ago, shortly after having read the book, I was... underwhelmed. I mean, I thought the effects were great and all, and the artistry was still simply amazing, but I thought it had many shortcomings when it came to relaying the story as I had read it. I suppose this happens to just about anyone when they read a book, and then later see the movie.
Well, I decided to give it another go. Some web reviews have said that in the case of this work, the book and the movie should be regarded as totally separate entities, and are in fact intended to convey different messages on many aspects of the plot. The book was written by Arther C Clark, the screenplay by Clark and Kubrick. Of course, the movie was directed by Kubrick. Take the book as Clark's spin, and the movie as Kubrick's, and don't look for total consistency.
And so it was that I decided to give the movie another try, this time not imposing on it any expectations -- things that should "live up" to what was written in the book. Besides, what better use for a DVD player than to take a look at some of the classics? :)
The visuals are certainly stunning, even by modern special effects standards. That, in and of itself, is a very amazing feat. The pacing is certainly unusual.
One thing I really noticed -- in contrast to many other space scifi movies and tv shows -- is how effectively the bleak, vast emptiness of space is conveyed. On the mission to Jupiter, one large, -- but oh so small -- lonely little ship drifting for months through... nothingness. Outside the ship, there are no objects anywhere near. Inside, the two conscious travellers stow in virtual silence, except for the occassional transmission from Earth. But in this movie, even the communiqués from relatives seem hollow somehow. And then, of course, there's the infamous HAL 9000. Need I say more?
Finally, the ending. I was left wondering, "What is the meaning of it all?" Not wondering about the meaning of the movie (ok, maybe that too), but the meaning of the entirity of human existence? Another progression on the evolutionary ladder. So what of it?
An old man dying in a white, pristine, vacant room, only to be born into another, larger, grander room of the universe, still just as lifeless and pointless as ever? Or perhaps that's not the point.
I'm done philosophizing. Watch the movie yourself, and draw your own conclusions. :)