2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey was simply brilliant. This film was set in the year 2001 but produced in 1968. The movie is predicting the future, or what Kubrick thinks will be the future. 2001: A Space Odyssey is based off a novel by Arthur C. Clarke. This amazes me because of the fact that this movie has very little dialogue or narration. At the current time when the movie was first released, no one had ever seen anything like this. Might I add, it was released, coincidentally, at the height of the space race between the USSR and the US. No other writer was as innovative as Kubrick. This movie was the very first serious science fiction movie ever produced. Even though Kubrick played a major role in making this film, all the credit should not go to one single person. The music that was used was phenomenal. The actors for the time were outstanding, and the technology that was available was sufficient.
I would like to think of this movie of a story of evolution. Others think that it is the best science-fiction film of all time about exploration of the unknown. A movie coming from the 60’s with as little technology as they had, this statement is huge. The ideas and predictions Kubrick had were fascinating and simply clever. When Dr. David Bowmen talks to his little girl via video chat all the spectators were intrigued by the thought of this. Of course not everyone had the technology available then to do that, but today we do. It is not unusual for someone to use video chats on a day-to-day basis.
This film is intriguing in the sense that symbolism is used throughout it’s entirety. I watched it the first time and thought I picked up on most things. It wasn’t till the second time that I caught more, and I am sure after watching the movie more and more I could pick up on more things. For example, when the monkeys are playing with the bones. They realize these can be used as weapons. This is the first realization as technology.
As mentioned above, there is very little dialogue or narration used. In today’s day and age this is very strange. If there is not someone always talking or doing something, it is assumed that it is boring. Instead of words, a lot of music is incorporated. Classical music is used throughout. It is designed perfectly, and sends out emotional cues that are like no other. Kubrick creates a work of art with this film, more or less a moving silent picture.
I have heard many individuals who dislike this film. They say it’s to boring and hard to follow. I beg to differ. I enjoy movies that have hidden clues in them. They make you think, they are not blunt like most are today. You can watch the movie again and again and you could pick up on something new every time. 2001: A Space Odyssey is a masterpiece. Especially coming from it’s time. To think all of this was possible from writer is stunning.
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Kubrick wasn't exactly predicting the future, but his story was based on a sort of projection of what a future could be like.
ReplyDeleteRather than talk about what was happening in 1968, focus on the film itself. Introduce the title, release date, direct, and then indicate what kind of film it is. You might also mention the actors, but be sure to name them. You also want to indicate what you opinion is about the film so reads know what to expect in your review. For example, you can say that many people find the film boring, but you don't. This sets up the expectation that you are going to explain/prove why this is a great film.
Be sure to summarize the plot briefly, and as you give your opinions, back them up with specific scenes, dialogue, special effects, etc. from the film that illustrate what you're talking about.
Be sure to finish up with your judgment again and be specific.