2001: A Space Odyssey Movie Review

"I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do."-HAL 9000

I'm not sure how this review is going to turn out because I'm not sure I've even fully digested this movie, but here goes. Stanley Kubrick's early classic, masterpiece, epic or whatever you choose to call it, 2001: A Space Odyssey left a lasting impression on me in a very unique way. I try to expose myself to as many movies as possible and don't mind watching things that land outside of my norm or comfort zone. This being said, every true film student or fan has heard of Kubrick's Space Odyssey. The most common words I've heard describing this movie are trippy, weird, and genius and I totally understand where they're coming from. Fair warning to anyone who hasn't seen this film, it is necessary to understand that it is also a period piece. This is a film from 1968 and if you're expecting a fast pace film with great special effects, don't even bother. At almost two and a half hours it is not an easy film to sit through as some parts are purposefully dragged out. 

This is a film in which the themes are much greater than the characters themselves and no one person or idea overpowers the film. That being said, the film is broken up into four distinct parts. The first being the dawn of man. I really enjoyed this part of the film as it showed man as apes at the most basic and instinctual level. It was a fascinating way of portraying evolution, the adaption of tools, and inherently survival of the fittest. The tools we adopted became part of us, and there is this great shot of an ape holding a bone high in the air as a weapon, as an extension of our bodies. The most confusing part is probably the way the idea of evolution is portrayed, which is by this huge black monolith-type object. I believe it symbolizes the next step man takes in the evolutionary chain.

In this same scene we are shot millions of years into the future where man now orbits the earth. We're introduced to Dr. Floyd played by William Sylvester. He lands on a space shuttle orbiting Earth awaiting his departure to a moon base. The doctor alludes to the fact that there is something wrong at this base, but it is not revealed what this problem is. I have to say there are many scenes that just go on and on, but for the most part there is amazing classical music playing during these scenes. Kubrick had a score produced for this film but it was scratched in favor for famous classical compositions. Eventually the doctor lands on the moon with 5 other astronauts and they make their way to an excavation site, where after much build up, we see the same monolith that the apes encountered hundreds of years back. Unlike the apes, the men touch it much quicker with less fear and pose in front of it for a photo before this ear-piercing screech is heard by all of them.

Skip another 18 months and we find ourselves alongside Dr. Dave Bowman played by Keir Dullea. He and a team of 4 other men are on course to Jupiter assisted by an artificially intelligent computer named HAL. The monolith had a similar effect on man as it did on apes in terms of advancement. In 18 months man went from walking on the moon to reaching Jupiter. There a lot of little things to pick up in this third act of the film, but to be honest it is really slow and isn't all too interesting until the end. This act is meant to show us that the tools we have created have not only evolved with us but will soon be able to surpass us. HAL turns on the humans unexpectedly after committing an error no one believed was possible of happening. These are one of the most intense scenes in the film and are very exciting in contrast to the rest.

Act 4 wraps up the movie but don't expect a pretty, neat bow. Good luck fully grasping the last 20 minutes of this film! Half of this act are just colors flying past the screen in different patterns and forms. As soon as your eyes adjust the colors switch up and you don't know what the hell you're looking at. We seem to be seeing this from Bowman's point of view and occasionally get a glimpse of his terrified face. After a ridiculous montage of colors and nature through color filters we find ourselves in an odd bedroom. Bowman sees himself age and get closer to death and eventually sees himself as baby on the bed. We get a final glimpse at the monolith before we return back to Earth's orbit, with the baby looking down. It represents the "starchild" or what Kubrik decidedly chose to represent the next step in the evolution of man. We are no longer constricted by our planet and will soon be children of the stars, exploring galaxies near and far.

Now we know this obviously didn't happen the way Kubrik envisioned, but it is still something we are striving towards today. I can't honestly say I had a good time sitting through this whole film, but I surely appreciate it for what it was. It represents a landmark not only for film but for us as people. It shows us how far we have truly come and how much farther we need to go. This film also laid down the groundwork for many of the sci-fi films in the coming years. I am glad I saw this movie and can now mark it off the list of "must-sees"! I give 2001: A Space Odyssey a 7 out of 10. While I appreciate what Kubrik is saying and respect it very much, I can't give it a higher grade for the mere fact that I didn't LOVE watching it. Nonetheless, a must see for hardcore movie fans or fans of the late, great Stanely Kubrik.