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2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) 8.3
Ratings:
8.3/10 from 255,843 users
Metascore: 86/100
Reviews: 1,504 user | 220 critic | 14 from Metacritic.com Humanity finds a mysterious, obviously artificial, object buried beneath the Lunar surface and, with the intelligent computer H.A.L. 9000, sets off on a quest. Director:Stanley Kubrick |
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Keir Dullea | ... | ||
| Gary Lockwood | ... | ||
| William Sylvester | ... | ||
 |
Daniel Richter | ... | |
| Leonard Rossiter | ... | ||
| Margaret Tyzack | ... | ||
| Robert Beatty | ... | ||
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Sean Sullivan | ... | |
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Douglas Rain | ... |
HAL 9000
(voice)
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Frank Miller | ... |
Mission Controller
(voice)
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Bill Weston | ... | |
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Ed Bishop | ... |
Aries-1B Lunar Shuttle Captain
(as Edward Bishop)
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Glenn Beck | ... | |
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Alan Gifford | ... | |
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Ann Gillis | ... | |
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
"2001" is a story of evolution. Sometime in the distant past, someone or something nudged evolution by placing a monolith on Earth (presumably elsewhere throughout the universe as well). Evolution then enabled humankind to reach the moon's surface, where yet another monolith is found, one that signals the monolith placers that humankind has evolved that far. Now a race begins between computers (HAL) and human (Bowman) to reach the monolith placers. The winner will achieve the next step in evolution, whatever that may be. Written by Larry Cousins
Taglines:
Man's colony on the Moon... a whole new generation has been born and is living there... a quarter-million miles from Earth. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
11 April 1968 (Japan) See more »Also Known As:
How the Solar System Was Won See more »Box Office
Budget:
$10,500,000 (estimated)Gross:
$56,715,371 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (premiere cut)Sound Mix:
4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints)| 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)| DTS 70 mm (2001 re-release)Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1
Edit
(1962) (uncredited)
Music by György Ligeti
Performed by The International Chamber Ensemble Darmstadt
Conductor Bruno Maderna
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
In the premier screening of the film, 241 people walked out of the theater, including Rock Hudson who said "Will someone tell me what the hell this is about?" Arthur C. Clarke once said, "If you understand '2001' completely, we failed. We wanted to raise far more questions than we answered." See more »Goofs
When the spaceship is docking at the station, the ship and the station are rotating at the same speed as can be seen in the scenes from the ship's point of view. But in the exterior, zoomed out shot of both of them, they are clearly rotating at radically-different speeds. See more »Crazy Credits
No opening credits for actors, writers, producer, director, etc. are shown, with the story beginning right after the title. Although by the 1990s it had become quite common for major films to not have opening credits, it was still unusual in 1968. See more »Soundtracks
"Adventures"(1962) (uncredited)
Music by György Ligeti
Performed by The International Chamber Ensemble Darmstadt
Conductor Bruno Maderna
See more »
A review I have put off for far too long....
Bluntly, 2001 is one of the best science-fiction films made to date, if not the very best. Stanley Kubrick was a genius of a film maker and this is one of his very best works. And although it is misunderstood by many, and respectively underrated, it is considered one of the best films of all time and I'll have to agree. Back in 1968, no one had done anything like this before, and no one has since. It was a marvel of a special effects breakthrough back then, and seeing how the effects hold up today, it is no wonder as to why. The film still looks marvelous after almost forty years! Take note CGI people. Through the use of large miniatures and realistic lighting, Kubrick created some of the best special effects ever put on celluloid. This aspect alone almost single-handedly created the chilling void of the space atmosphere which is also attributed to the music and realistic sound effects. I can't think of another film where you can't here anything in space, like it is in reality. Not only is the absence of sound effects in space realistic, it is used cleverly as a tool to establish mood, and it works flawlessly.
Aside from the magnificent display of ingenious special effects, there are other factors that play a part in establishing the feel of the film. The music played, all classical, compliment what the eyes are seeing and make you feel the significance of man's journey through his evolution from ape to space traveler.
The story, while seemingly simple, is profound. Sequentially, several mysterious black monoliths are discovered and basically trigger certain events integral to the film. What are they? Where did they come from? What do they do? These are all questions one asks oneself while watching the story develop and is asked to find his own way. While most come away with a general idea of what took place in the story, each individual will have to decide what it means to them. Any way one decides to answer these question results in profound solutions. It's not left entirely up to interpretation, but in some aspects it is. Experience it for more clarification. The end result is quite chilling, no matter your personal solution.
While it is a long film, and sometimes slows down, it has to be in order to accurately portray the journey of man. It's not a subject that would have faired well in a shorter film, faster paced feature. Those with short attention spans need not apply.
Last but not least, is the epitome of a remorseless antagonist, HAL 9000, the computer. Never has a machine held such a chilling screen presence. Which reminds me, for a film with such profound ambition and execution, there is surprisingly little dialogue. Another sign of Kubrick's genius.
All in all, one of the best films made to date and one of the very best science fiction films made. A personal favorite. Everyone must see this film at least once.
Very highly recommended.