2001 - A Space Odyssey (Limited Edition Collector's Set)

2001 - A Space Odyssey (Limited Edition Collector's Set)
by Stanley Kubrick

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DVD Reviews of 2001 - A Space Odyssey (Limited Edition Collector's Set)

DVD Review: Keep This Film In Perspective...If You Can
Summary: 5 Stars

I hope that no one out there is under the illusion that the human race, like the film, can simply be praised as "good" or condemned as "worthless". To do so would underscore both the range of our species and the film itself. Life is not black and white; it is gray, as is the nature of the film. To demonstrate this Kubrick leaves ambiguous many parts, enabling us to examine the result of his decisions while unhindered by pretextual certainties. The specific reasons for revealing to us some things, and not others, we may never know. Perhaps to focus on that part of his direction would be missing the point. And what exactly is the point? I believe to create a mystery that becomes more trivial the closer it is examined, and less of a mystery when simplified. Like life, the meaning(s) of 2001 grow and breathe each time it is viewed. On the other hand, in many ways it remains the same. In this respect, the film becomes a living examination of the human race...a truly timeless observation that will intrigue viewers for generations to come.

It is hard to deny that this film is the granddaddy of modern science fiction as applied to the mysteries of the universe. The special effects were unprecedented for it's time, and the presentation patently Kubrick. In recent years we have seen such films as "Mission to Mars", "Red Planet", "Contact", "Stargate", and numerous others attempt to raise in similar fashion, and in some cases successfully, the question "why are we here"? This is an intellectual question, and whether you draw your opinions (they are opinions, not answers) from the metaphysical or tangible, simple or elaborate, you must leave room for the variable. The constant of change. The unknown. This is why 2001 is such a masterpiece, it leaves open those channels of information for the viewer to interpret, and Kubrick does not feel the need to overwhelm us with his own interpretations (at least up to a point).

In short, this film is what you make of it, which is a lot like life itself (seeing any themes here yet?). I believe many interpretations is what Mr. Kubrick wanted the audience to provide, not one single concrete answer. Ambiguity is the reason some people will always view this film as the project where Kubrick bit off more than he could chew, because in their mind, something cannot have meaning unless people agree. This is shortsighted and remedial thinking, something that Kubrick has probably never been accused of. To declare that 2001 is a muddled work, the only purpose of which is to afford pretentious people like myself the opportunity to proffer up far-fetched ideas and theories is just plain...well, then again, maybe those people are right after all. I mean, aren't we intellectual dreamers the ones who have been trying to figure out the universe since the dawn of thought, only to fail in the sense that we are no closer now to unlocking it's secrets than a thousand years ago? Is this failure? Or are we successful simply because we try? Now, what was this movie about again?!!!