1968: the year when sci-fi got interesting

Rating: 10/10 (8 June 2009)

In the history of sci-fi films there are hardly a handful that go down in history as serious or important. 2001: A Space Odyssey is unsurpassed in both departments.
Most important: where most films communicate their message through the dialogues and the story, 2001 works on a conceptual level. What makes this film really unique is that Kubrick leaves few clues to what this concept is which makes it impossible to form a clearly defined interpretation. Is the concept intelligence? Or the past and future of human kind? Or has it a religious message? There are NO answers...
I remember watching it for the first time...and the second time the day after. What was this REALLY about? Browsing the internet for explanations. I read many theories, but none that was more plausible than the other.
Just one time I got this feeling again, when I looked up on the pyramids in Egypt. What on earth IS IT? It's both frustrating and a pleasing at the same time. A kind of religious feeling.
The sound plays an important role in the film. The music is partly classical, partly avant-garde. There are many scenes where breathing or distant sounds from animals make up the sound stage.
Like other Kubrick films the story is told in "chapters". The story is nonetheless easy to follow.
A sci-fi movie can't be reviewed without mentioning the special effects. A sci-fi made in 1968 will make most people think of flying saucers and silly costumes. 2001 does not look dated. The special effects are very much the same as those in Star Wars. It looks more realistic than Star Wars episode IV but not as astonishing as episode V.
This is not a film for everybody. In the same time you do not have to like sci-fi to love this film.