2001: A Space Odyssey [G]

At the dawn of Man, a mysterious monolith is the catalyst for primitive scavenging apes to become tool-wielding hunters. Centuries later, another monolith is discovered by man buried beneath the surface of the moon and sparks a radio signal towards Jupiter, which is then followed by a carefully mapped expedition to investigate. The ship’s computer HAL sabotages the expedition, but a surviving astronaut comes into contact with another monolith and is hurtled through a gateway of space and time. 

WHAT AN AMAZING FILM! No matter what frame of mind you’re in, 2001 will open your eyes and really set your mind racing. This film is the real and literal meaning of the world “surreal.” After watching it, your sense of reality has been altered and you see everything differently to how you did before. It’s an absolute mind-trip and bloody brilliant! 

At the dawn of Man, a mysterious monolith is the catalyst for primitive scavenging apes to become tool-wielding hunters. Centuries later, another monolith is found by man buried beneath the surface of the moon and sparks a radio signal to Jupiter, which is then followed by a carefully mapped expedition to investigate. The ship’s computer, HAL, sabotages the expedition, but a surviving astronaut comes into contact with another monolith in Jupiter’s orbit and is hurtled through a gateway of space and time. 

Without a doubt, this is the most impressive Kubrick film that I have seen to date. This movie was not just groundbreaking, but ground-shattering as it used techniques and did things that no other film had done before or since. 

The central power of 2001 comes in the marriage between motion and music. Kubrick used music to great effect in The Shining, but his use of it in 2001 was something else entirely. The music not only creates the atmosphere of the scenes, but it actually tells the story. Because the movie uses minimal dialogue, the music is really the driving force that pushes the story forward whilst simultaneously creating the thrilling and awe-inspiring atmosphere that this movie exudes. In particular, the use of Richard Strauss’ Thus Spoke Zarathustra and Johann Strauss’ the Blue Danube Waltz, were simply dazzling. 

Whilst the music creates the atmosphere and tells parts of the story that the dialogue cannot, the use of motion sets the film’s pace. The majority of the film, well over two hours of it, is devoted to the slow-moving waltzes of the space shuttles, ship’s, and extraterrestrial matter. Although you would think that this would become tedious and boring, the pace is actually so slow that it creates a feeling of great tension and suspense and you find that you are completely transfixed by it. It’s very clever filmmaking. 

The special effects, although primitive by today’s standards, are nonetheless stunning. The bright colours, the kaleidoscope patterns, the zooming blur of sparkle and shine is something truly dazzling and you’ll find for the entire ten or so minutes that it goes on, you will not be able to look away. Not even blink. It’s amazing! 

Starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter, Leonard Rossiter, Margaret Tyzack, Robert Beatty, Sean Sullivan, Douglas Rain, Frank Miller, Bill Weston, Ed Bishop, Glenn Beck, Alan Gifford, and Ann Gillis, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a really surreal and truly remarkable movie that’s filled with drama, space, beauty, wonder, technology, and the infinite beyond. Earning its place in The Book, it’s a wholly awesome movie that everyone has to see!