Sci-Fi Classic Review: 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)

Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke set out to make "the proverbial really good science-fiction movie," but what they created is the single greatest achievement in the history of sci-fi cinema.

If you're looking for a "review" in the traditional sense, then let me just say I worship this movie. This video, however, is a "review" in the literal sense (using the Miriam-Webster definition "a retrospective view or survey"), in that I'm going over the history of the film and its place in sci-fi cinema history.

Related video reviews:

"Also Sprach Zarathustra (Richard Strauss)"
by Kevin MacLeod
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license

[larrydavis]

I saw this film in a theater. It contained an intermission. It was breath taking on the huge screen and the sound was incredible.

[Keefymonoped]

Saw this when I was 10 years old on its release in 1968. Absolutely mind blowing, I couldn't get enough of it. Coupled with the Apollo missions at the same time and it was just an amazing period in my life. Even now in my sixties this movie still holds a special place. Possibly the greatest pure sci fi film ever made, an astounding vision.

[kylecurry]

The quintessential science fiction/fact experience. Deep, ambiguous, stunning, compelling. 2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the all time cornerstones of the cinematic universe. The wonders that await the human race...eventually.

[josepha]

My mom took me to see 2001 when I was 7 years old. I did not understand it but I still liked it. Over the years I read the books and re watched 2001 over and over. I truly think it is a masterpiece.

[permiek]

First saw it as a 12 year old in 1978 when MGM re-released it thinking "hey, space is big now, put out our space movie out again". Saw the 50th release together with Dullea and Lockwood who did a world tour. Greatest film I have ever seen.

[wrightmf]

I saw this movie in 1968 at the Century theatres in San Jose next to the Winchester Mystery House. Come to think of it, this was the best theatre as it had the big wrap around panaramic screen, stereophonic sound (also had the snazzafrantic seats and poppaphonic popcorn). I remember thinking it all made sense. Yep, when I will be an old guy I can get a ticket on a PanAm spaceplane. Afterall my grandfather was a youngster when airplanes were flimsy and crashes were frequent. Later as an old guy him and his wife cruised to Europe on a 707 at 600 mph above the weather. I never thought much about classical music (back then I consider it what only old people listen to). I distinctly remember all sci-fi movies looked so cheesy after watching 2001. Later in 1970s when it was released again in theatres, friends and I go watch it. Then later debate what was it all about. But then I read the book, it all was then clear what the plot and storyline. Kind of took away the imagination.

I also remembered all the young people like myself at the time thought the music was perfect, which I read articles many adults thought the music confusing. What does a classic Viennese waltz tune have to do with space travel? (I thought it was interesting Johann Strauss' Blue Danube was first performed in the US in 1868, 100 years before 2001 release).

Besides the special effects, it was showing that commercial companies will have their place in space. The actors portrayed the kind of people in those occupations. Many engineers, scientists, and managers are not expressive, showoff actors that show wide range of emotions as needed for entertainment.

And then on the 50th anniversary of the release in 2018 the Castro theatre in San Francisco showed a 70mm ANALOG of the film. It was watching it ***exactly*** like I saw it as a 10 year old. There was a certain quality to this which digital does not have. And the sound had certain characteristics, I can hear things I usually don't hear in movies. Later talking with someone about the music, he said young people at the time never heard these songs before so they equate the music with space travel. Adults had preconceived bias. Oh, I can dance Viennese waltz but what they play at ballroom dance studios is more of a consistent tempo unlike the composition used for the movie is more of an interpretive version to match profiles of the various spacecraft and at what phase in the flight. But it's now 23% into the 21st century, Pan Am is long gone and we might get back to the moon before I am dead of old age.

[CaminoAir]

As always, thank you for a high quality review. I read the Clarke novelisation in 1981, before I saw the film, so I could understand what was going on when I did see the film. If I hadn't, then I might have dismissed the film as deliberately obscure and slow moving to a degree approaching being unwatchable even if it is unquestionably brilliant in technical terms. I'm very much a well-structured screenplay viewer, not an art-house viewer. I don't know if Kubrick got bored with the idea of a conventional story telling style and wanted to go to a direct 'experience' style instead, but his dismissal of the SF movies that Clarke liked is (in my opinion) very significant. Alex North (as major a talent as he was) was not the right choice. I believe only Jerry Goldsmith could have composed an original score for '2001' It was Keir Dullea's idea to have those perspective shifts between the different Bowmans in the hotel suite environment. The only flaw in the special effects that time has shown up is that photographs of models (the Moon shuttle for example) are often used, instead of filming the actual models themselves. Carl Sagan persuaded Kubrick not to directly show the aliens who are observing/evolving Bowman. I completely agree that Kubrick achieved an objective reality of space as vast, empty, dangerous and not remotely designed with human survival as a consideration, so that benevolent aliens have to intervene to ensure the potential of humanity is achieved.

[mariareed]

I saw this at school when I was 7 back In 1972. It was the first science fiction I had ever seen and It made me fall in love with scifi.

[hank]

I saw in one documentary that Stanley Kubrick actually gone to Sam Goody in New York to buy all kinds of classical albums while making this movie. Always have high regards for this movie and influence in future science fiction to come. Enjoyed the sequel as well. Enjoy your YouTube videos always well thought off and very detailed as always

[gmanley]

I think the music in the beginning is the greatest music pieces in the history of cinema.

[melissamarsh]

I went to see it at the cinema a few years back with my dad. We sat in the front row for the second part

[morlockmeat]

Broken down to it's most simplistic analogy:
Sperm - The Discovery
Egg - Jupiter
DNA - Bowman
Brought together to form new life - Star Child

[boopdoop]

2001 is my favorite film of all time. My favorite genre is sci fi, and I think 2001 is without a doubt the greatest sci fi film ever made. It is the biggest influence for all the sci fi films that came after it. It's also my favorite film in terms of cinematography. The glorious shots and special effects are a sight to behold even 50+ years later. My biggest dream as a film fan is to be able to watch the film in imax one day. I could go on about how much I love this movie, but basically what I wanted to say was thank you for making such a great video about 2001. Watching it really made my day. Love your channel!

[wrightmf]

I think what 2001 showed that no other such sci-fi movies would show is most likely how scientists would react when examining data of extra-terrestrial life. Most movies always have the characters go "OMG this is totally astonishing" and lots of drama in their body language. Here we have Floyd and others on the moon bus looking at the magnetic field plots of Tycho crater. "Any idea what the hell it is?" "No, but we do know it was deliberately buried there four million years ago." "hey, how about some coffee?" "watch it, it's hot." I think the sequel movie "2010" completely failed in this regard as scientists and astronauts were portrayed as very expressive like sales and marketing people. While expressive people more entertaining than analytical people, but expressive characters are not a good cast. Unless it is an entertainment like "Armageddon."

[PaulKyriazi]

Gary Lockwood said, "There is thought behind every shot of the movie."

[coyoteboy]

Your reviews are among the very best on YTube! Keep up the fantastic work.

[TheClutchCanuck]

I saw 2001 for the first time in its entirety not all that long ago. Truly a one of a kind experience and mesmerizing visuals even for today’s standards. I still can’t comprehend that this was before the Apollo 11 moon landing! I’ve been curious to watch 2010: The Year We Made Contact as I’ve played the video game before but worry it might taint the original. Awesome review as always! 👍🏻

[tad_]

I love Sci fi but never really got invested in 2001. I always see Leonard Rossiter an quickly want to put on some classic British didn't get where I am today by watching highly acclaimed Sci fi movies! 🤣 One for the Reggie Perrin fans.

[iancroft]

Incredible Film-Hardcore Scifi. Very Rare. Saw it when it came out @ 5yrs old. Met Keir Dullea once-He was a customer @ a Pharmacy I managed in NYC. He was Very Nice & I asked Him re Kubrick, 2001’s meaning, etc & He said “He Wouldn’t Tell Us”. Later I found out He & my Mom were in an Acting Class together. Thanx for yet another Outstanding & for me Highly Personal Vid TUG !

[mikekopack]

Yeah the final Act is a serious acid trip… 2010, although nowhere near as deep or good does a good job of filling in the holes about why HAL went insane…And it tells a compelling continuation of the story in its own right.