Profound and beautiful...but at the same time,
perplexing and thought provoking.
"2001: A
Space Odyssey" is not thrilling, nor is it
scary, funny, or even that dramatic. "2001" is
profound. It does not entertain, but amaze and
intrigue.
With that said: I don't get it. But no one said
that's a bad thing.
Trying to tell you the plot of "2001" is like
trying to logically explain "Commando." It's
never gonna' happen. Here's what I can tell you:
It opens on Earth, millions of years ago. We see
apes create the first weapon. This is man's
first encounter with technology. Flash forward
millions of years. An amazing alien discovery is
made on the Moon. Flash forward 18 months. The
spacecraft Discovery is on it's way to Jupiter
when the onboard computer HAL 9000 goes nuts. We
end with a trip to infinity and the birth of the
star child. Sound bizarre? You just wait...
Of course, I'm not spoiling anything for you by
telling you the basic plot outline of "2001."
Director Stanley Kubrick made it so you
summarize the movie and not ruin it. The story
is not important. The characters are not
important. Never once do you feel for or relate
to a character. You know they're names, but
that's about it. There is also very little
dialogue, and none of it advances the film.
Images advance the film, dialogue is just there
to show human interaction. "2001" could easily
be a silent film and not lose it's impact. The
film is not about space travel, alien
discoveries, crazy computers, or super
technology. The film is about mankind, and
however you translate the film and it's message
will affect how you think the film talks about
man. Truthfully, I'm not even so sure it's a
science fiction. I think that "2001" is a moving
painting about the advancement and power of our
race that just happens to take place in space.
I'm not saying that it doesn't showcase
excellent sci-fi though. The visual effects are
so sharp and clean, that they rival the computer
effects created by talentless geeks in the
modern film industry. They are amazing effects.
Making them even better, is the awesome musical
score. Kubrick uses classical music throughout
the film and it works brilliantly. A beautiful
waltz plays during docking sequences, and the
now signature "2001" themes booms at the
beginning as we watch the sun peek over Earth.
It's breathtaking. Most films use classical
music for a humorous effect or to trash it in
some manner. Kubrick uses it to tell a story.
It's quite simply some of the best scoring in
film history.
Ah, yes, the cinematography and editing, both
gorgeous. Both simply perfect. And how can I
forget how Kubrick depicts infinity (if that is
in fact, what it is). A blend of colors and
shapes that looks like the human imagination
dyed a thousand times over with a thousand
colors. The color trip lasts for nearly ten
minutes (at my count, I could be wrong) but it's
so majestic and well done, that you lose track
of the time.
As I said above, the movie does not center on a
story element, but I must give props to HAL
9000, one of the most frightening villains in
cinematic history. HAL plays no major role in
the overall scheme of the movie (not the plot,
but the THEME), but he leaves a tremendous
impact on the viewer. His droll voice and his
emotionless way of committing murder is
startling. When he sings "Daisy" or utters
simple lines (the infamous, "I'm sorry, Dave,
but I'm afraid I can't do that" comes to mind)
it sends chills down your back.
Overall: A grand movie experience that will
challenge your intellect beyond any movie you
are likely to see.
But will you "get" it? Probably not, and don't
ask me, I'm still mystified.
I love it anyway.
©
Written by Jacob Hall
TC Candler's
Comment
It is
astonishing how a film, that appears on it's
surface to be so emotionally flat and cold, can
be so gloriously profound and moving. The harsh
reality of space and the bleached interiors of
futuristic sets mask an unrelenting and
passionate inquiry into workings of the human
spirit and the meaning of life.
Kubrick's
legendary films are among the most patient ever
made. They never feel rushed or incomplete in
any way. That is perhaps most evident in 2001.
The first ten minutes of the film almost lull
you into a trance as he prepares you for a
journey you will never forget.
This film
is operatic in it's presentation and biblical in
it's scope. "2001" is perhaps the most ambitious
film ever made. Kubrick is a genius.
This is
one of the greatest films of all time!
Richard Propes Comment
"2001" is
yet another film for which it may be time to
revisit. It is a film I respect, but can't say
I've fully integrated to the point that I even
feel able to review it. TC makes a wonderful
point when he states that Kubrick's films are
among "the most patient ever made." Along with
patient films, they require a patient audience.
I find those who embrace Kubrick are typically
those who embrace the journey of filmmaking and
savor it like a rare wine. "2001" is a rare wine
that requires not just a taste, but a savoring
of the complete sensory experience.
