OTF's Blue Publication June 2017
As I haven't seen any newly released films this month, I thought I would take this opportunity to write a retrospective on one of the greatest science fiction films of all-time, the venerable 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968).
This masterpiece of cinema, which I revisited a few days ago to refresh my memory before writing this short essay, has not lost any of its magnificence in the almost 50 years since its release. The breathtaking visuals havent lost any of their lustre, and still manage to enthrall the viewer and embue a sense of wonder.
I was 14 the very first time I saw this movie, renting it on VHS knowing very little about it. My knowledge of 2001 consisted primarily of what I had read about it in a book about science fiction movies I kept borrowing from my local public library, and a comic book based on the film which had been donated to me by my aunt who was getting rid of my older cousin's comic book collection. So I had a general idea of the movie before ever seeing it. But when I finally did get the chance to see it, I was blown away by how different it was from any movie I had ever seen before. The slow, majestic pacing was in such stark contrast to the fast-paced, action-packed sci-fi extravaganzas I was most familiar with at that time, such as THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) or THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982). 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY gave me a whole new appreciation not just for the genre, but for cinema as a whole. I have since owned the film first on VHS, then later on DVD, and nowadays on Blu-Ray. I can confidently say that my enjoyment of this movie is undiminished after many viewings over the years. If anything, I enjoy it even more---since today I watch it in high definition on a big screen TV in its original widescreen format, rather than on a small 19-inch screen in the old pan-and-scan format. 2001 is looking more gorgeous than ever after all these years.
I am aware that this movie isn't everybody's cup of tea. Some people, especially in this fast-paced modern world we live in where our attention span seems to have become reduced, complain that it is too slow and lumbering, and too short on action. These people are missing the point. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY is a reflection on the mysteries of the universe and of humanity's origins and ultimate destiny. It is also a thoughtful exploration of some weighty themes, such as the nature of humankind's dominance of this planet (we discovered the ability to use objects as tools and weapons for construction, agriculture, hunting, and warfare). The movie also explores the ultimate results of our centuries-old technological advancements (man vs. machine, as in the case of the advanced A.I. HAL 9000, which has gone berzerk and is trying to kill everyone on board the spaceship Discovery). Finally, it ponders mankind's ultimate destiny: Will we be evolving into a truly spacebound advanced being which can transcend time and space? (the emergence of Bowman as the so-called "space seed" at the dramatic conclusion of the film.)
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY isn't so much a film as it is an experience. Any true science fiction fan must see it at least once in their lifetime, preferably in high definition on the biggest TV screen they can find----or, preferably, on a movie screen (which I have never had the privilege to experience). It is a tribute to the genius of Stanley Kubrick that the special effects of 2001 still look as amazing as they do today after almost 50 years. I can't think of any other film of that age where the visuals don't reveal some flaws to the CGI-savvy audiences of today. Keep in mind that 2001 was made long before the advent of digital effects. The massive spaceships and space stations were all made "real" with scale models. The splendid sets were realized without the use of blue screens. And the breathtaking vistas on Earth representing man's distant past, were all filmed on location.
If you have never experienced 2001, do yourself a favor and go watch it as soon as possible. In fact, just writing about this movie----one of my absolute favorites----makes me want to go watch it again for the umpteenth time! Cheers!