2001: A Space Odyssey is an amazing visual spectacle |
The film itself is in 4 distinct sections which are all based round a large black monolith that is present all 4 parts that emits a loud radio signal that deafens anything nearby. The first section depicts the dawn of man as early humans search for food and slowly learn to use tools before we are transported into space where a Pan Am Space Plane where there is a rumour of a mysterious epidemic at the base. They also run into the black monolith that emits a loud radio signal just as they are being photographed in front of it. The third and fourth section is most renowned in the film where a crew are in deep space with HAL 9000, an intelligent computer that runs the ship.
HAL 9000 intelligent computer that seems to be capable of having emotions |
The monolith is the central figure in the film as it continues to re-appear, after being buried on Jupiter and being found by the first space crew. Writer Arthur C. Clarke referred to it as as ''the alien Swiss army knife'' as a tool used by advanced intelligent life in the books but is certainly given a different and more ambiguous meaning in the film. It's possible that it is a star gate which transports people like Bowman at the end of the film to another universe or another time.
The black monolith at the dawn of man |
It's difficult to review this as a normal film, as a spectacle to watch its fascinating and memorable. The plot is a secondary thought throughout the film and takes a back seat to everything else that is happening, in this sense it is a film without comparison except for maybe Begotten by E. Elias Merhige which was released in 1990. To criticize the lack of plot would be missing the point about the deeper meaning of the film that can be derived from what is seen. There are still so many questions asked and left open by the film that it doesn't need more plot development, something which is still hugely effective over 40 years later. That is the sign of a truly great movie and is probably one of the only films that would really benefit being in 3D.
4/4 visual masterpiece with amazing score but certainly won't appeal to everyone.
Nicely done. It's definitely a tough one to review.
ReplyDeleteHere's my effort:
http://intheframefilmreviews.blogspot.ca/2012/02/100-movies-no-3-2001-space-odyssey.html
Thanks, very impressed by your review. It's a tough film to watch and a harder film to watch but certainly one you can watch many times and take something different from.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching a few analyzations of this one on youtube, anything less than a perfect score is too low for me. I'd definitely say it's in the running for best flick of all-time. There are just way too many subtle details that enhance the plot which the average viewer never even notices for it to be considered less than genius IMO.
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