2001: A Space Odyssey

Rating: 10/10 (13 April 2013)

The top 6 reasons why "2001: A Space Odyssey" is my favorite movie:
1. The visual effects are stunning for it's time, 1968. Several Science Fiction movies have borrowed directly from 2001, including Star Wars; just compare the looks of the Imperial Cruisers in SW and the Odyssey in 2001.
2. The details and accuracy are splendid.
3. The music – all classical tracks - add a unique touch to 2001. Basically, the more alien the scenery, the more mystical and atonal the music.
4. The lack of narration adds to the mystery of 2001, leaving the audience to speculate about the meaning of everything.
5. Most scenes in space are very slow, adding realism. Also, when Dave and Frank go EVA, you can only hear their breathing and the hiss of gasses flowing into the space-suit. It feels like you are in space yourself!
6. All human characters are flat and bored, whereas HAL9000, the super computer, has the most vivid personality of all. I believe this reflects both Clarke's tendency to focus on the Science rather than humans, and Kubricks cynical look on humanity.
All in all, a fantastic movie, still! TEN STARS!!!
The sequel, "2010: The Year We Make Contact" (or "2010: Odyssey Two" as the title for the novel) is a worthy film in itself. However, it is completely different in style and feel, and rightly so. I guess Hyams who directed it did not make an attempt to make it similar to 2001 in any sense. A wise decision, I think...