hands down, the best sci-fi film ever

Rating: Null/10 (26 November 1998)

Some people have criticized 2001 because of its flat acting and lack of action. But think about it: isn't that the point being made here? Man, rather than being the masters of technology, have become its mere servants. In HAL the computer (and the most emotional "character" in this movie) we see technology gone awry--and controlling Man. The opening sequence, with huge and pristine spaceships slowly "dancing" in space, is beautiful, chilling--and telling. Kubrick's direction is pure genius. His trademark shadowless, white, "frozen" look dominates many scenes, most especially the last sequence after Bowman (strangely emotionless, and as a result, tragic) passes through the wormhole and enters a 16th century French bedroom where he "meets" himself as an old man, on his deathbed, and finally, is reborn into a higher realm. The ending is interpreted differently by different people, and asks more questions than it answers. The sequel "2010" attempts to "answer" the questions posed in 2001, and though it's a very good movie in its own right (far superior to the overrated comic-book epic "Star Wars" though I am sure many disagree), trying to "answer" the profound questions raised is a mistake since mere humans cannot answer questions so profound and universal without the result seeming anti-climactic and disappointing. Still the best science fiction movie ever made--and I do not use that term loosely, since most "science fiction" is mere action-adventure fantasy with overblown SFX. Slow-moving, with long silences and barely any dialogue (especially by the humans), it's not a movie for everyone--but for those who want to think and who appreciate cinema as art rather than just entertainment. A masterpiece that I doubt will ever be matched.