"The Sentinel" and the film (a comparison)

Rating: 8/10 (4 May 2013)

Analysis (Note: For those who've seen this movie and read the short story, "The Sentinel," this review may help readers understand the themes)
Science fiction has been the subject of storytelling throughout the world, partially because it explores possible realms in the future. It also offers an alternative universe within film and writing. Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey is considered to be a landmark, science fiction film. His work is a profound, visually and astounding film. It discusses exploration of the unknown by human beings. The film was coincidentally released during the height of the space race between the USSR and the United States. It is partially inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's 1951 short story, "The Sentinel." The concepts of progression of evolution and the perils of human technology are emphasized. The short story and the film both focus on the long- term view of evolution and trace the possible perils of human technology.
"The Sentinel" describes a mysterious object left at the Moon's massive plateau, the Mare Crisium. The narrator Wilson had made a lunar exploration to the Moon alongside his friends, Garnett and Louis. They happened to discover the artifact on the surface. This object has made from polished mineral, shaped to be tetrahedral, and also surrounded by a spherical forcefield. Wilson himself could not understand the power of the sentinel left on the Moon. He states that those mechanisms "belong to a technology that lies far beyond (his crew's) horizon, perhaps to the technology of para physical forces" (110). The readers may speculate that the sentinel was a "warning beacon" for the initial start of evolution for humans and creatures on Earth. The ancient aliens have scattered them throughout the universe. Readers may have to consider how evolution of intelligent life may undergo in the future. 2001: A Space Odyssey focuses on the development of mankind from ape-man. In the first episode of the film entitled, "The Dawn of Man," Kubrick takes the audience back to the prehistoric past in the Pleistocene era. No dialogue was spoken in the first 25 minutes of the film. This section of the film comprises of shots of the primordial landscape, depicting the African Savannah and tribes of prehistoric apes. They have not developed the capacity to create tools in order to hunt and kill other animals. A tall, black, rectangular monolith appeared midst their habitat—the group of apes huddled around the object and the Sun slowly rises atop of the slab. Later on, the audience sees the leader of the ape-men, consciously picking up a bone and smashing the skeleton of a tapir. This indicates a new development of intelligence for the prehistoric apes.
"The Sentinel" ambiguously describes how technology could possibly initiate human civilization. Simply stated, Wilson points out that the crystal pyramid may have been placed on the Moon, rather than the on Earth—the ancient aliens perhaps were interested in seeing civilization struggling from savagery. Wilson said, "That is the challenge that all intelligent races must meet, sooner or later. It is a double challenge, for it depends in turn upon the conquest of atomic energy and the last choice between life and death" (111). The short story implies that the aliens may have wanted a sentinel to be left scattered across the universe. The signals will help the infant civilization on Earth to develop super intelligence. It is a challenge for creatures and humans to harvest the promises of life. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick demonstrates that there are dangers in developing technology. The HAL- 9000 super-computer had slowly begun to malfunction. HAL maintains the electronic systems of the spaceship, Discovery. After playing electronic chess with Dr. Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood), HAL warned him that he had checkmated himself as he said, "Queen to bishop, three. Bishop takes queen." HAL foreshadowed his computer error and Poole's death, as a result of his foolishness to believe that the computer system was correct. As he carried on a conversation with Dr. David Bowman (Keir Dullea), HAL asked him whether or not he had second thoughts about the Jupiter mission. He had feelings towards the mission as he said to Bowman, "Well, it's rather difficult to define. Perhaps I'm just projecting my own concern about it. I know I've never completely freed myself of the suspicion that there are some extremely odd things about this mission." The unusual stress HAL is experiencing may be a sign that an advanced, perfect computer is deteriorating. The HAL-9000 computer system is no longer considered "foolproof" or even sophisticated, as HAL detected a slight error in his system.
It is clear that "The Sentinel" and the film itself, forces everyone to consider the exploitation of evolution in regards to human technology and intelligence. Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey is probably well-known for its visual storytelling—leaving the audience to a somewhat, ambiguous interpretation of the film's plot and elements. It was also not considered a direct adaptation of Clarke's "The Sentinel." He stated it was like comparing "an acorn to the resulting oak-tree." Understanding Kubrick's use of non-traditional storytelling allows for differing interpretations on the dangers of technology, and mankind's evolutionary growth.
Opinion
I recommend this film for those who appreciate Kubrick's use of non- linear storytelling and beautiful imagery. 2001 deals with topics that could not be explained based upon physics. It is merely wrong to draw definite conclusions after viewing this film. There are intense moments, usually accompanied by an eerie score. Like most Kubrick films, one must understand his themes and motifs that shape the storyline. Overall, it is very thought-provoking.