My fav sci-fi hands down

Rating: 10/10 (21 November 2011)

Slow movie that might put you to sleep if you do not connect on first viewing.
Kubrick achieved his goal. He hoped the viewer will not get it the first time, and it was true in my case. But because I am fascinated by space, science fiction, astronomy, evolution and the secrets of the universe; I couldn't help my self but to be sucked in by the visual aspects of the movie. I was determined to understand the meaning of this film. My personal conclusion is that Kubrick did not intend to follow the story- line completely. The movie ends without including the final and probably most important detail of the story. In 2010 and the books things become much clearer and we know this epic journey is basically about the cold war.
I read some reviews where people mentioned that there are long scenes being repeated and dragged out. But to me, these scenes are setting the mood. You get to experience the long and quiet lapse of time in witch evolution happens. This helps to sharpen our senses to understand the evolutionary leap after first contact with the monolith.
I could not imagine this movie without the long sessions of dramatic classical music. At times I found my self scared and almost in the state of panic. Specially at the increasing humming sounds when the astronauts come in contact with the monolith on the moon. The slow scenes in space again meant to trigger our senses and take us on an emotional ride into the vast darkness. Space travel is lonely, claustrophobic and painfully slow.
Considering that this movie was made in 1968, it had predicted many things about what the 2000's would look like from telephone via television to devices that look very much like the Ipads. Not to mention that visually this film is so clean, I find it incredible that out of all the futuristic movies only this one really hit the jackpot when guessing that interior design would be into luxurious minimalism.(White as the dominant / basic color in contrast to bold timeless statement pieces like the red chairs. Etc..)
I could get into Hal but I will not waist your time. If you read the books and watch 2010 you will understand he never intended to make a sequel or to be true to the original story. I think it was genius to leave out the cold war, because as it turns out, 5 years after the release of 2010 the cold war ended, and although I enjoyed it, it was not relevant to me anymore. However, Kubrick's odyssey is a timeless cinematic masterpiece.
Appoligies if my English is not perfect.