Weird, slow, but interesting.

Rating: Null/10 (19 November 2001)

I am still not sure what to think of this film. I don't know whether I like it or not. I don't hate it, I don't think it is the greatest thing ever to be put to celluloid. I feel pretty much the same way about Kubrick's work in general (based on the small number of his films I've actually made myself familiar with). He was a strange guy with interesting ideas and he conveys them on film in an interesting way. I'm sort of disappointed by the glib interpretation of many would-be critics that anyone who doesn't like the film must be an idiot and that said critics are, therefore, the only ones truly intellectual enough to appreciate Kubrick's vision. I do agree that many people pigeonhole the film as being boring too quickly. I admit it is excruciatingly slow in parts but that certainly does make certain scenes more intense (poor Frank). If you approach it with an open mind, you'll be sure to get something out of it. Just being introduced to the character of HAL 9000 makes the film worth watching. As far as whether or not you'll truly enjoy the film, I suppose like everything in life, it all depends on what flips your switch.