Life-Changing or Sleep-Inducing

Rating: 10/10 (17 October 2000)

I'm a huge Kubrick fan and so own the box set and all his other major stuff, but the first three times I watched 2001: A Space Odyssey, I fell asleep. That, in fact, is why I just rewatched it  to fall asleep for my early start for work tomorrow. But instead, this time, it totally and utterly blew me away. So completely, that I find myself now writing about it.
I used to and still do think 2001 is a movie you either love or hate to watch  a movie to make you cheer, or snore. I guess I used to hate it. Like no shortage of people I saw it as (albeit obviously brilliant) boredom in a can - not only had I never stayed awake, I'd never even pieced together the whole thing. And didn't really care.
For whatever reason, this time I was overwhelmed - by its majesty, its unrivaled genius, its excruciating mystery. Words don't suffice. I finally got it. (Not that I have any idea what these blokes are on about, but that's how this art imitates life.) I found my emotions tingling with every shot, particularly in Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite (a section of the film I'd never actually remained awake for).
Words really don't do it - it is a film that, given the opportunity, every person should see. It just might take you to far reaches of inner and outerspace that you never thought possible - it just might change your life. Failing that, it may give you a good nights sleep.