Epic, majestic, awe-inspiring.

Rating: 9/10 (31 August 2005)

I've seen 2001: A Space Odyssey on VHS, but I had the pleasure of seeing it on the "big screen" at a local art-house theater on August 29, 2005.
Pros:
1. Groundbreaking special effects. 2. Epic, majestic, awe-inspiring. But also perplexing and confounding (that's not a negative). There are no easy answers or explanations  the viewer has to decide for themselves what is happening and why. This ambiguity adds to the mysterious, mystical atmosphere. 3. Brilliant use of classical music. 4. With visual style to spare, Kubrick directs with an artist's eye, resulting in some breathtaking images. 5. Colorful, mood-enhancing cinematography. 6. Kubrick was a stickler for details, and it shows. Sound waves cannot travel in outer space, so, except for a few scenes with the sounds of human breathing, Kubrick films the outer space scenes in complete silence. The silence is haunting. 7. Provocative, much "food for thought."
Negative:
1. Somewhat slow, tedious pacebut Kubrick's direction is so strong that 2001: A Space Odyssey never becomes dramatically inert.
Interesting side-note:
The human characters are bland and emotionally distant (with the viewer and other characters in the film), but the HAL 9000 computer has the most soothing voice  an intentional choice that makes HAL seem the most human.