2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

2001: A Space Odyssey
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Written by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke from Clarke’s short story
1968/US
IMDb link
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

[box] HAL: Look Dave, I can see you’re really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over.[/box]

A mind-blowing visual and auditory experience does not quite compensate for the lack of a story.

This movie has something to do with a monolith and how it interacts with evolution, I think.  It is divided into three parts.  One is about the evolution of homo sapiens; the second is about a space flight to Jupiter; and the final is about, maybe, the evolution of the next generation of intelligent life.  Or at least that’s what they tell me.

By far the best part is the second, in which the astronauts must interact with the on-board computer HAL-900.  HAL seems to be developing a mind of its own.  This stuff is witty and totally enjoyable.  Then we segue into psychedelia.  With Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood as the astronauts.

Stanley Kubrick on set. How did he make this movie without CGI?!

I saw this on original release.  I didn’t “get it” then and don’t now.  If you just sit back and enjoy some sensory overload, the movie is powerful.  It’s not a favorite, though, because it has no heart.

2001: A Space Odyssey won the Academy Award for Best Effects: Special Visual Effects. It was nominated in the categories of Best Director; Best Writing: Story and Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen; and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration.