Kubrick's cosmic masterpiece; a startling, haunting piece of art

Rating: 10/10 (2 October 2007)

2001: A Space Odyssey
Number 1 - 1968
Number 1 - 1960s
Top 10 - All Time
"It is possible that I just have seen the greatest motion picture of all time"
Stanley Kubrick's recreation of Arthur C. Clarke's science fiction novel is a cinematic spectacle.
Kubrick's creation of an atmospheric and mind-blowing film is something to be celebrated. '2001' is simple and purely cinematic craft; distinct imagination and beautiful artistry along with groundbreaking visual effects make this film one of a kind.
The direction as always is faultless; Kubrick's pursuit for perfectionism shines through his camera work that dazzles the viewer with beautiful images.
The music is terrific; the noticeable use of classical music which evokes different moods, whether awe, disillusionment, fear or panic. The music is frequently used as a narrative, a tool not used in the film industry very often; Kubrick limits the dialogue but maximises the importance of the sounds you hear.
2001 moves at a steady pace and makes us ask eternal questions. While, 2001, as a film critic put it 'fails on the human level', it does communicate through the medium of images, sounds, music, colour and yes Kubrick's perfectionist camera work.
This is a vivacious, exciting, confusing, multilateral film; it has everything. You could argue that it is a boring, dull sci-fi movie, but for me it was a visual and sceptical treat. I wasn't sure at times what exactly was happening, but I didn't care. I never witnessed such creativity and mad risky film-making along the sci-fi line. This film is an iconic masterpiece.
Instantenously I place this film among my top 10 and I truly believe it is one of the best films ever to be made and probably Kubrick's finest achievement (in many respects definitely). Hypnotic, alluring, indefinably masterful, this is a milestone in cinema. An astonishing achievement.
10/10