Kubrick's 2001 is (so far) THE great American film.

Rating: Null/10 (25 February 1999)

Based on Arthur C. Clark's short story, The Sentinal, this film is comprised of a series of scenes which tell the story of Man's intellectual development from ape to space-farer. This film is always the first one I think of when the subject of great motion pictures arises.
The opening sequence with the Also Sprak Zarathustra background music makes one's hair literally stand on end. The obelisk-induced, twigging-to-bone-as-weapon scene is absolutely thrilling and the morphing of the flung-in-the-air bone into space shuttle and space station dancing to The Blue Danube is positively inspired.
Kubrick gives HAL 9000, the computer on the mission spacecraft is given real character and personality.
The final sequences in which Keir Dullea encounters himself during his own aging process and we are then treated to the rebirth of human intellect in the Star-Child embryo floating there in space with eyes of wisdom are unforgettable.
If you haven't seen this majestically beautiful film - do so. If you have a shred of imagination, it will truly be an event to cherish.