2001 : A Space Odyssey

I can't wait for the year 2001 when we have all this cool space stuff.

Not everyone on this planet can have seen 2001 (let us dispense with the difficult to spell bit after the colon, for ease).  And of the unknown constituency of those who haven't seen it let's be quite clear, so they know what they're letting themselves in for should they decide to press 'play'... it's not for everyone.

But if you love film, well you've probably seen it - and most of Kubrik's other films already.  I am of the opinion that Stanley was one of the greatest geniuses of the 20th century so, basically, he already owns a sizeable chunk of my brain. 

So, let's make no mistake about it - 2001 is SLOW.  Personally, I think the slowness is a welcome break from the frenetic pace of modern films, and indeed modern life.  He lets the narrative breathe.  And, just as you might be on the edge of boredom, something happens.  The story moves forward.

And that's an important point - because there really is a cracking good sci-fi story in here - and a driving narrative.  It just plays out... slowly.  That's all.

And the slowness isn't just about being arty and atmospheric.  It builds up the tension - particularly when combined with the repetitive noises which underscore the film.  In several scenes during the film's main section (which involves a mission to Jupiter to discover the source of some extra-terrestrial mysteriousness) there are frankly irritating sounds tootling away - beeps, dings, alarms...  over and over until you think you might go bonkers.

For example, a long spacewalk scene is entirely underscored by the astronaut's breathing and a hissing sound which simply does not abate.  And I love it.  I love the daring of it - I don't always want to feel comfortable and to know what's going on.  

Alfred Hitchcock said that when an audience is asking questions they aren't emoting.  Which is fair enough - but 2001 isn't necessarily a film to emote to.  Although I do find the slow drawl of the computer HAL9000, as he is being tinkered with and losing his memory, really quite sad. Incidentally, if you find yourself thinking - as HAL changes from servant to murderer, that the whole thing seems like a way of filling out the protracted running time and isn't central to the plot - apparently it is : the reason he goes bonkers is the contradiction in his programming - he knows the reason for the Jupiter mission and the astronauts don't.  It's not made clear.

Kubrik intended you to fill in the answers for yourself and make your own 2001.  And this may well 'alienate' (no pun intended) some viewers - particularly when it comes to the film's rather woolly conclusion.  

If you can sit back, breathe deeply, just watch the visuals unfold...  (the still impressive visuals - Kubrik insisted there would be no blue screen and it was a good decision - it would have jarred immediately whereas, as it stands, 2001 still looks amazing)..  if you can let yourself go under... let yourself be hypnotised...   if you can stand half an hour about a bunch of monkeys...  you will love it.

And if you can stand those things - well you probably love it already.   

PS :  Look - the astronauts use I-Pads!  How prescient was that.  Although they weren't around in 2001...

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ8pQVDyaLo