A unique look at space travel

Rating: Null/10 (2 January 2001)

There are a few things which Kubrick got right about space travel which no other movie has ever managed. For example, interplanetary space travel, when it occurs, will be dull. Mind-crushingly, slamming-your-head-against-the-wall-for-sheer-amusement-valuely dull. I've heard sailing trips described as "long periods of utter boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror." The same applies to space travel... and to 2001. I particularly like the scenes where the astronauts, obviously useless on a voyage run entirely by the superhuman HAL, spend all day on such hyperimportant activities as sketching hibernating crewmembers, playing chess, and listening to birthday greetings. Some posts complain about the movie being dull... well, that's the point.