Science fiction worth calling science fiction

Rating: 9/10 (29 May 2008)

2001: A Space Odyssey is an amazing film. There, that's out of the way. Now I can discuss why.
Of course there are the usual things: the amazing special effects(one of the few Oscars SF films ever win), the scientific accuracy, and of course the music; I get the chills whenever I watch the opening shot. And then there are the iconic scenes that nearly everyone manages to rip-off in some way, shape, or form.
And then there's HAL.
I'm not sure if I'd call the HAL 9000 computer the greatest movie villain, but he's certainly up there. Think about it: he's polite, he's got a great personality, a cheery, conversational manner(compared to the monotoned astronauts), and he's terrific at chess. And he's not above killing people to complete his mission. Douglas Rain deserves an award for the voice of HAL(Anthony Hopkins modeled his Hannibal Lecter after it); the homicidal computer would be nothing without it. And let's not forget his demise: HAL's rendition of "Daisy Bell" is certainly the most haunting scene in the film.
HAL is without doubt my favorite part of 2001, and I think Stanley Kubrick did an amazing job with him. But I think HAL would do better playing poker: he's got the perfect poker face.