Not the best, but definitely thé most important science-fiction film ever made!

Rating: Null/10 (27 January 2002)

This film is a typical Stanley Kubrick-picture in any way! Something strange occurs and we witness how it develops during the entire movie, but in the end neither the director with his camerawork nor the actors through their characters give us the required information. We see what happens and we understand a part of it, but we never get to know the actual WHY! Why was the hotel haunted or why did Jack Nicholson go crazy in "The shining" and why is Tom Cruise being threatened after having visited a secret, sexual group? We don't know and personally; it's better this way. By not telling us a few things, Kubrick-movies are always a bit of a mystery. Besides, there isn't always a reasonable explanation for everything. Some things just happen.
Although I like some science-fiction movies much better than this one here, I do realize that neither of them would have become what they are now, if it wasn't for "2001: A space odyssey". This film has been a major influence and set the standards for all other science-fiction pictures to follow in the years to come.
It's amazing how the groundbreaking special effects haven't aged a bit! Watching this film, you cannot believe it's more than 30 years old. The special effects are THAT good! Furthermore, there's the beautiful music which is crucial to the film. It causes the whole thing to feel less like a documentary. Some of the more lengthier scenes are easier to watch because of that wonderful music.
Just like in the science-fiction movie "Artificial Intelligence: AI" (originally a concept of Stanley Kubrick), you'll find the same thing going on in here; namely 'the war between man and robot.' Therefore the most intriguing character in this film isn't even human! It's HAL-9000; the onboard computer.
"2001: A space odyssey" is not only a good, but also an important movie. Although a few scenes may seem to go on forever and the ending is kinda weird, it's the mix of the delightful music along with the breathtaking special effects that make this a true classic.