Watching in 2001 in 2005

Rating: Null/10 (3 November 2005)

I watched this film for the first time today. My first thoughts as the "future" scenes began, were of amazement that this film was made in 1968. The spacecraft visuals inside, and out were no doubt well ahead of their time. I can't imagine how mind blowing it would have been to watch this in 1968 or anytime before the debut of the "Star Wars" films. It is easy to see how anyone who viewed this film during that time would regard this movie as one of the greatest of all time.
In 2005 though, most of us have seen these kind of visuals many times before in fictional and real videos and photos. While still beautiful and fascinating their effect is no longer strong enough to keep my attention as long as this film asks during many scenes. I was left bored and impatient during most of the film.
Afterwards, I was left wishing I could go back in time, in mind, so that I could experience this movie when it first debuted.
I did not rate this movie, because I can plainly see that it WAS a very great film, just not that great for a first timer in 2005.