the critics loved it, the critics hated it

Rating: Null/10 (7 January 2000)

The line above will be immediately recognized by some of you who are hardcore Kubrick fans. It is off the back of a book on the making of "2001".
It was not only an appropriate comment for that movie but also a prophetic comment for the career Kubrick would enjoy after "2001".
And judging from the reviews on this page we all have not let down the wise individual who spun the most descriptive words Kubrick has ever accepted as judgment of his work.
Eyes Wide Shut was the first Kubrick movie I saw, which made obvious his abstract genius upon initial viewing (not including "Paths of Glory","Spartacus" and "Dr. Strangelove" since their narratives were straight forward enough for even a dullard like me to follow). I was always envious, though somewhat suspicious, of individuals who claimed this nirvanic state with his pictures prior to EWS.
I had to read "2001" and view "Clockwork Orange" several times before they became ranked as two of my top 12 movies ever made (the others are {Brazil,Koyannisqatsi,Eraserhead,True Stories,Life of Brian,Swept Away,Metropolis,Saving Private Ryan,Badlands,Natural Born Killers} for anyone who is curious).
Will Eyes Wide Shut push one of these pictures from their prestigious rank, possibly, I was only able to view it once before the theatre pulled it. And if the past is any indication concerning a Kubrick film, each viewing will only enhance my opinion rather than detract from it.
I have realized late in life that the value of reviewing art forms to other individuals is not to convince them of your opinion, it is to let them know a little more about yourself. If people would formulate and listen to reviews with this foremost in their minds a great deal of frustration would be allieviated from critical discussions.
In conclusion, I cannot tell you why you should love this movie or hate it but I can give you a couple of guidelines I know Kubrick would agree with for enjoying his movies to a greater degree.
1)Since most Kubrick films are very personal you should see them by yourself or at most in theatre crowd in which you are a stranger.
2)Kubrick strived his entire career for secrecy because he understood that the most impressionable mind is the one that has no prejudgements. This philosophy should be adhered by all filmmakers so don't read everything you can get your hands on before you have seen the movie for the first time.
I will make a final relative review, if you enjoyed the dreamlike quality of Malick's "the thin red line" then you probably will enjoy Eyes Wide Shut and vice versa.