Sci-Fi work of art

Rating: 10/10 (17 January 1999)

2001 is a science fiction film that does not fit into the usual sci-fi mold with predictable plots and aliens that either look human or are monsters. It begins with beauty and mystery. Kubrick's film is one of the most scientifically accurate sci-fi films I have seen. Space travel in the vacuum of space is always silent and going somewhere takes time, for instance it takes months to reach a planet.
Kubrick's 2001 takes this approach and uses it to present huge themes; human evolution and contact with alien super intelligence, conflict between humans and computers. Almost all sci-fi films present human and space alien encounters as routine. Kubrick presents such contact as so strange that it is beyond our human comprehension. He puts you in several scenes with no explanation as an observer experiencing incredible events. You are left with questions. What is the monolith, the light show and the star child at the end of the film? There are answers but you have to search for them (such as by reading Arthur C. Clarke's "2001").
Like all great films, Kubrick's suggests further questions; can alien intelligence reach the level of God? Will we destroy ourselves unless an alien intelligence helps us?
2001 makes excellent use of symbolism. The movie's main musical theme is from Strauss's "Also Sprach Zarathustra". This is also the title of Nietzsche's poem about the emergence of the superman; the star child? or the monolith?. The bone rising from the violent ape-human becomes an orbiting nuclear weapon. Distrust and paranoia slowly builds between the U.S and Russians finally climaxing with the computer HAL.
On top of all this the film's look is stunning. After 30 years it's sets and special effects are still up to today's standards. 2001 is one of the few films that can be called a great work of art.