2001: A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey is a film (directed by Stanley Kubrick) based on Arthur C. Clarke's original short story, "The Sentinel." Although it does not have an organised fandom, there can be no denying the impact the film has had on the science fiction genre. It has been compared to ShakespeareRussell Blackford, "Shakespeare, Science Fiction and all that Jazz", in Bruce Gillespie (ed.), Steam Engine Time #3, December 2001, p. 8. (EFanzines) and regularly makes the list of top films among science fiction fans and other audiences. 
Its esoteric nature has drawn both praise and criticism. One fan asserts:
The plot revolves around astronauts on a mission to find and study a monolith with help from supercomputer HAL 9000, and everything that goes wrong, This story was encapsulated inside a larger exploration of evolution, alien contact, and discovery. Professional film critic Roger Ebert concludes:
However, Kubrick himself was not so certain about asserting his personal conclusions:
The film was highly influential in the development of the science fiction genre and the depiction of Artificial Intelligence in mainstream fiction. Many other film makers also acknowledge that the film has influenced their own work in artistic, philosophical or other ways.
2001 also helped to introduce certain music to popular culture, notably, The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss and, Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss. This latter tune in particular, along with associated visual cues from the movie, has become something of an instantly recognisable meme in other films and TV shows. One commentator describes the film, as Kubrick reputedly alluded, as being a "mythological documentary" or "controlled dream" or "a filmic Rorschach" that effectively mixed music and metaphor.David W. Patterson, "Music, Structure and Metaphor in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey", American Music, Vol. 22, No. 3 (Autumn, 2004), pp. 444-474. (JStor)
Arthur C. Clarke wrote the screenplay and the novel for the film. Sequel books by Clarke were, "2010: Odyssey Two" (1982), "2061: Odyssey Three" (1987), and "3001: The Final Odyssey" (1997). A 1984 movie sequel to the original film, 2010: The Year We Make Contact was based on Clarke's first sequel novel and was much less-heralded than the original Kubrick movie.
A comic adaptation written and drawn by Jack Kirby was released by Marvel Comics 1976-1977.
Many other books and articles have been written to analyse the film and its ideas, many of these written by academics or others who are clearly fans of the movie.
==Science versus Fiction==
In 1983, Clarke wrote within a new epilogue for the novel:
A subsequent generation that did not live through the era includes some people who question whether or not 2001 provided the technical apparatus for Kubrick to fake the Apollo Moon landings. One rebuttal is humorous and playful:
==Life, Growth, and Evolution==
===Man-Ape to Human===
The first part of the film explores our evolution from Moonwatcher to Moonwalker. Mime artist Dan Richter, who played "Moonwatcher" (the man-ape who touched the Monolith and later threw the bone into the air, depicting a leap of evolution) shared his house for some time with a capuchin monkey named Nancy. He felt that this enabled him to develop a deep understanding of our connection with other primates, as might be implied within the film:
===From Human to HAL===
Another part of the film - often a fan favourite - charts our journey from astronaut to AI, as explored in the interplay between the human astronauts and the HAL supercomputer. One commentator explores this interplay and its implications for our evolutionary future:
LGBT+ fans question queer subtexts within the movie, even extending this exploration to HAL:
It is noted that others explore a similar queer perspective, and one academic asserts that, "to suggest that he [HAL] has a Queer affinity is nothing new".Camille E.B. Boechler, "What About Hal?”: Imagining a Queer Physicality in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey," Louisiana State University (Honors thesis), 2017, pp. 2 & 3. (Academia)
Another fan is full of praise regarding the significance of HAL:
The question is raised of the physicality and psychology of human growth, and a suggestion that spaceflight can be ennobling and inspiring, carnal and corporeal (and it also potentially explains the popularity of the science fiction genre):
===From Savannah to Star-Child===
The interplay between humans and extra-terrestrial life (as depicted by the Monoliths and their creators) depict another level of growth that remains beyond the scope of human understanding within this movie, although the ending implies that possibly our evolution will turn us into the very Star-Child aliens whom we seek. One fan analysis suggests:
==Legacy==
Apart from its ongoing influence upon films and the science fiction genre, its philosophical impact also continues to influence and inspire fans:
==Sample Fiction==
* The Longest Journey by Carrie Ann Prentiss is a fusion with Star Trek: TOS (1996)
* Clarke's Lore by Geoff Allshorn, a fusion with Star Trek: TOS (early 1990s?)
==Fan Works==
*2001: A Space Odyssey works on AO3
*2001 - A Spacey Idiocy (comedic fan film by Paul Murphy circa 1978)
*2001: A Space Idiocy (2009 parody by ModGyo on YouTube)
==Pop References==
*David Bowie – Space Oddity (Official Video), YouTube
*Barbie (2023) Opening Scene, YouTube.
==Other Links==
*2001: A Space Odyssey on IMDB
*2001: The Making of A Myth on YouTube
*Top 5 Sci-fi Movies INSPIRED by 2001 A Space Odyssey
*Is 2001: A Space Odyssey the Most Influential Movie of All Time? on YouTube
*The Legacy of 2001: A Space Odyssey – Insights into Predictions Realized, Space Voyage Ventures Team, 4 June 2024
*Against all odds, the 2001: A Space Odyssey sequel is actually good, Danny Bowes, AV Club 30 March 2016 
*2010: The Forgotten Odyssey - A Video Essay, Grant Hodges, YouTube, 1 Nov 2019
==References==
Category:Fandoms by Source Text
Category:Live-action Film