Sunday, July 30, 2017

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

The year had to have been 1999, or somewhere around then? A couple of friends of mine got me 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY on DVD for my birthday. It was my favorite DVD for awhile. In heavy rotation there were three movies I'd play endlessly; ALIEN, THE MATRIX, and 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.

The timing was just right for some reason? I think I was just becoming interested in film, the movie buff was born. My curiosity with 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY was the DVD cover. What was that astronaut in awe of? What did the astronauts find on the moon? All those questions were answered in digital video and Dolby Digital sound!

I was in awe from the second the film started! A black screen with classical music playing, no stars just darkness. The music faded out and the MGM logo appeared. Then the most famous music from the film started, Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss. This time though there was space; along with the Earth, Moon, and Sun. It probably sounds cliche but that choice of music is still awesome to this day!

The film is about the evolution of humanity. Million of years ago during the Dawn of Man, aliens (or something else) nudged the process of evolution along by placing the Monolith on Earth. Man was born. Flash forward to say, 2001 (heh)? In the space age humankind discover a signal on the surface of the moon. It's another Monolith, and therefore another leap for mankind. 18 months later a crew is heading to Jupiter in hopes of contact with another Monolith.

On board the space vessel Discovery One, Dr. Frank Poole and Dr. Dave Bowman are in charge while the other cosmonauts are in cryo-sleep. Assisting the ship and it's crew on the quest is a state-of-the-art computer called H.A.L. 9000. The advanced computer alert Frank and Dave to a antenna that will soon malfunction. The antenna is disconnected only to discover that there will be no malfunction? H.A.L. 9000 concludes that his error must be a human one? Thinking there is something wrong, the two men decide to disconnect H.A.L. The computer becomes self aware and kills Dr. Poole.

Dr. Bowman successfully shuts down H.A.L. and continues the mission to Jupiter. Arriving at the plant Dave tries to make contact with the Monolith. In doing so leads him on a voyage into Beyond the Infinite!

If you've never seen 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY and thought my plot synopsis is too spoiler heavy, don't worry I've ruined nothing. There is definitely deeper meanings going on in the film than what I just described to you. The film is more about a cinematic experience rather than traditional storytelling.

For those of you who have seen the film and either hate it or just don't get it? I feel you. There was a time when I'd hate this movie! Why is everything so slow? Where is the plot? As I mentioned earlier, I think the timing for me was just right? And watching on DVD felt important to me.

Director Stanley Kubrick has made a science-fiction masterpiece that still holds up today!

It had been a good 18 - 20 years since the last time I saw the film. A couple of weeks ago the Alamo Drafthouse showed the film on the big screen. The theme of their theater is 2001, so it was fitting that during their grand opening they showcased the movie! Finally getting to see 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY on the big screen was a dream come true. It's weird, the movies 2 hour and 30 minute runtime went by like a breeze! I must have been that much into it.

Two weeks later, and I'm still into it! The other day I ordered some Russian science-fiction films and I'll be reviewing one of them shortly.

In conclusion, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY isn't my favorite film of all time, I just marvel at it every time I watch it. !f you like real science-fiction (STAR WARS is space-opera folks) and have never seen 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY do yourself a favor and watch the film immediately. It'll be an experience you'll never forget!

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