Believe the Hype

Rating: 10/10 (16 March 2020)

Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey has always been a polarizing film. I can't think of a movie that is both greatly acclaimed and despised at the same time. Of course, generally speaking, most people love it in some way. The biggest complaint I see is that many people find it boring. And hey, that's how they feel and I won't judge them. But I was never bored. Even during some especially long sequences with no dialogue or sound effects, I was always focused. Maybe it's the inherit beauty of the effects and camera work that keeps me enthralled throughout.
Needless to say, it's not for everyone. Which I really hate to say since it's such an amazing movie. Absolutely in the top ten best ever. Never have I been so confused by a movie but still loving it. But I think it was a good confusion, like the kind you feel while watching a twisty mystery. You think you expect what will happen, and then it does not. The special effects might be the best ever put on film. It's amazing how accurate Kubrick got space travel. I don't like to use the term auteur. It's overused and wrong since movies are such a collaborative effort. But if any director deserves that title it's Kubrick. And he earns it with this film. The classical music soundtrack is glorious and the amount of risks this movie takes is insane. This isn't your average sci-fi movie. It's grounded in some form of reality, even thought it has a fantastical concept.
Don't expect any straight answers from this movie. You won't get them. And that's okay. Not everything has to be laid out perfectly in front of us. That's part of the wonder of this timeless classic. Every time you see it, it's like a different experience. I feel if people have the proper context and a basic idea of what to expect, they will enjoy it more. Yes, it's long, and slowly paced, and a challenge for some viewers. But for those who want to see some brilliant and creative cinema with some patience to boot, you can't go wrong 2001.