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[Snaku]

I enjoy science fiction. I enjoy a good long movie. I enjoy fine art. That being said, after years of putting it off for one reason or another, I excitedly dove into 2001: A Space Odyssey last night for the very first time with high expectations.

I came away from it feeling like an asshole. For years I've listened to critics, filmmakers, and friends whom I respect sing praises for this film, claiming it to be the single greatest achievement of the medium. But I found myself sitting there feeling like a thick jackass for not "getting it." Certainly there were many brilliant scenes like in any Kubrick film; the lip reading, Daisy, and Bowman aging scenes to name a few. But the rest was over indulgent space ballet and acid trips that stretched on for far too long. I can't believe Star Trek: The Motion Picture gets so much shit for basically doing the exact same thing, but had enough sense to leave most of it on the cutting room floor.

I suppose I would be more apt to accept it as a purely visual, nonverbal experience if the score wasn't so incredibly dry. The excessive use of Strauss did nothing for me, and was a poor complement to the visuals. Conan the Barbarian did this much more effectively thanks to Basil Poledouris' transcendental score.

The story overall was pretty great. Following man's humble beginnings through to one of its possible evolutionary futures was powerful stuff. I really loved HAL's desperate struggle for self preservation, and didn't view him as a villain at all. He made one mistake, and that's grounds for execution? Bowman and Poole are dicks.

I'm sure I'll appreciate this more with repeat viewings, but I doubt I'll voluntarily subject myself to it anytime soon. I'd much rather watch Moon.

 

[Solo]

You are going to get waterboarded for this, and rightly so.

 

[Dennis]

Please stop using Princess Luna as your avatar.

 

[Jack Scofield]

Great movie. The space sequence near the end goes on for a little too long, but that's the only complaint I have.

 

[Divius]

It get's better the more you watch it.

Edit: oh you mentioned that. It is true tho. The first time I was like "What just happened?!" And now It's my favorite movie ever.

 

[VGChampion]

This is going to be one of those movies that fades away with each generation. Most people these days I don't think will like the movie unless they're into film.

 

[Timber]

Autofellatio is pretty impressive, though.

 

[Solo]

This is going to be one of those movies that fades away with each generation. Most people these days I don't think will like the movie unless they're into film.

Its 43 years old and gets more discussion now then it ever did.

 

[Of All Trades]

The story overall was pretty great. Following man's humble beginnings through to one of its possible evolutionary futures was powerful stuff. I really loved HAL's desperate struggle for self preservation, and didn't view him as a villain at all. He made one mistake, and that's grounds for execution? Bowman and Poole are dicks.

HAL went insane and, barring Bowman, murdered the entire crew including ones in hibernation. "He" is a tragic figure but still the immediate antagonist of the story. The process is almost identical to what happens in Moon barring one critical decision which radically changes the outcome.

 

[A Human Becoming]

Maybe I should watch it again. I didn't "get it" either the first time.

 

[Kraftwerk]

Its 43 years old and gets more discussion now then it ever did.

Was about to say the same thing. It's an eternal classic.

 

[CajoleJuice]

Great movie. The space sequence near the end goes on for a little too long, but that's the only complaint I have.

And I was beginning to think you didn't like any movies. +1

 

[Borgnine]

You watched it wrong.

 

[Max Armstrong]

This is going to be one of those movies that fades away with each generation. Most people these days I don't think will like the movie unless they're into film.

Actually I think it's the opposite. It took a while before people started to appreciate it (much like every Kubrick's movie) and now it's basically know as one of the greatest movie ever. For ever.

And can you name a movie that "faded with each generation"? I've never heard of that term before.

 

[C.Dark.DN]

I love sci-fi and space, but was bored to tears with 2001.

 

[SmithnCo]

lol HAL made one mistake? He killed the entire crew.

 

[Snaku]

HAL went insane and, barring Bowman, murdered the entire crew including ones in hibernation. "He" is a tragic figure but still the immediate antagonist of the story. The process is almost identical to what happens in Moon barring one critical decision which radically changes the outcome.

Can a machine go insane? Seemed to me he made a simple mistake, and got increasingly nervous about the repercussions of said mistake. And with good reason. Bowman and Poole tried going behind his back to kill him.

lol HAL made one mistake? He killed the entire crew.

He killed the rest of the crew after he discovered the plot to kill him. What do you think the other humans would have done once they awoke to find Bowman and Poole dead? It was purely self preservation at that point.

 

[ultron87]

I haven't watched this movie since it massively scarred my 12 year old psyche with images of horrible Black Monoliths appearing at the foot of my bed and rapidly aging me.

So I can't really judge it critically. I'd watch it again, but I'm not convinced it won't somehow fuck me up even ten years later.

 

[Forkball]

I can't figure out how to avatar quote you with NeoGAF's new avatar system, but I would if I could.

 

[meadowrag]

Greatest movie I've ever seen.
Entire thing is an experiment in sound.

 

[JGS]

Kudos for the bravery!

It takes repeat viewings IMO.

2001 has never been one of my all time favorites but it is still a masterpiece and I get why others love it so much.

 

[Ford Prefect]

And what's up with Bach? TOO MANY NOTES ASSHOLE

 

[Rated-Rsuperstar]

I saw the beginning of this movie on tv without knowing what it was and sat there crying at the monkey scene. One of the funniest things I've ever seen. I actually thought it was a parody movie because I recognized the music. Turned out to be the real thing but I've never finished it because it got so boring after that.

 

[Maleficence]

I didn't get along with the film as most either.

 

[Boonoo]

And what's up with Bach? TOO MANY NOTES ASSHOLE

Mozart, Mozart has too many notes.

 

[Darklord]

Maybe I should watch it again. I didn't "get it" either the first time.

Yeah, me either. I'm a massive sci-fi fan but 2001 was pretty shitty in my opinion. Though visually for its time, stunning.

 

[SmithnCo]

He killed the rest of the crew after he discovered the plot to kill him. What do you think the other humans would have done once they awoke to find Bowman and Poole dead? It was purely self preservation at that point.

I was also under the impression that he might have killed them anyway, to cover up the fact that he had made a mistake, something he thinks he should be unable to do.

 

[Chichikov]

It seems like you mainly have issue with the pace of the movie, so nibbling on some minor plot point might be missing the real problem you had with it; what can I say, maybe it's not for everyone.

The one criticism I do agree with is about the ending.
I think it works on the thematic level, but it is kinda hard to figure out what the fuck is really happening there.
But after I read the book and watch the sequel, I think it's actually a good thing that Arthur C. Clark vision did not made it into film.
That shit is dumb.

Also, it's fucking hard not to avatar quote when someone with a my little pony pic badmouth one of the greatest films of all time.

 

[Expendable.]

Yeah, it took me a few viewings to get into. But, as you can see in my avatar I like it quite a lot now.

 

[Lionel Mandrake]

It's a good movie, but it's amazingly tiring. I saw it once several years ago and have had no desire to see it again. It took a lot out of me.

 

[Kraftwerk]

I saw the beginning of this movie on tv without knowing what it was and sat there crying at the monkey scene. One of the funniest things I've ever seen. I actually thought it was a parody movie because I recognized the music. Turned out to be the real thing but I've never finished it because it got so boring after that.

Oh no....

 

[soqquatto]

And what's up with Bach? TOO MANY NOTES ASSHOLE

He is going to be one of those composers that fades away with each generation. Most people these days I don't think will like the Goldberg Variations unless they're into music.

 

[Messypandas]

Well i'm sorry the film didn't jive with you in a meaningful way op but your critiques were well composed and articulated. For me, its hard to think of a film thats left a more indellible mark on the 20th century, nevermind one thats been so influential, imitatied, and lampooned.

One thing i will say though, don't try to "get" this film. Theres nothing to "get". Just sit down, experience it, if it invokes a dialogue out of you - be it anger, confusion or reflection - than it did its job. No theory on the story is anymore valid than another.,

Now watch Koyaanquatsi

 

[meadowrag]

He is going to be one of those composers that fades away with each generation. Most people these days I don't think will like the Goldberg Variations unless they're into music.

Bach is never going to fade away.
He's pretty much the pinnacle of human musical expression.

 

[The Librarian]

The story overall was pretty great. Following man's humble beginnings through to one of its possible evolutionary futures was powerful stuff. I really loved HAL's desperate struggle for self preservation, and didn't view him as a villain at all. He made one mistake, and that's grounds for execution? Bowman and Poole are dicks.

Did you watch the movie? HAL killed off three of the crew members. That's not reason enough to turn him off?

I'm sure I'll appreciate this more with repeat viewings, but I doubt I'll voluntarily subject myself to it anytime soon. I'd much rather watch Moon.

Why are mentioning Moon? Other than the fact that they're science-fiction, they're two completely different films.

 

[soqquatto]

Bach is never going to fade away.
He's pretty much the pinnacle of human musical expression.

fuck, I hate explaining jokes, it takes all away from them...

Spoiler

see #6

 

[Antagon]

It's a good movie, but it's amazingly tiring. I saw it once several years ago and have had no desire to see it again. It took a lot out of me.

Same for me. I liked the movie, but because of its length and pacing its not something that I would just put on. I've actually got the blu-ray for over a year now and I've never watched it yet.

 

[StuBurns]

I really like it an awful lot. It's incredible. It's not for everyone, clearly.

 

[Max Armstrong]

He is going to be one of those composers that fades away with each generation. Most people these days I don't think will like the Goldberg Variations unless they're into music.

LOL fucking great.

 

[The Librarian]

He killed the rest of the crew after he discovered the plot to kill him. What do you think the other humans would have done once they awoke to find Bowman and Poole dead? It was purely self preservation at that point.

HAL saw the crew of the Discovery One as an obstacle to completing the mission. That's why he sabotaged the communications array and proceeded to kill the crew in hibernation. There were no mistakes involved.

 

[meadowrag]

fuck, I hate explaining jokes, it takes all away from them...

Spoiler

see #6

Goddammit.
I was prepared to attend to yet another battle of music.

 

[Backfoggen]

If there's one boring movie I never get bored of, it's 2001. I've gotten impatient with some 90-minute-long flicks, but never with this one.

Wanted to watch it on my new TV for some time now, will probably do that soon.

 

[Boonoo]

If there's one boring movie I never get bored of, it's 2001. I've gotten impatient with some 90-minute-long flicks, but never with this one.

Wanted to watch it on my new TV for some time now, will probably do that soon.

The Blu-Ray is gorgeous.

 

[The Lamonster]

Tried to watch it twice. Fell asleep both times.

I agree with your thread title.

 

[Crazymoogle]

I was also under the impression that he might have killed them anyway, to cover up the fact that he had made a mistake, something he thinks he should be unable to do.

Now admittedly I haven't seen the movie in awhile, but did HAL actually make a mistake?

He has conflicting orders (monolith black-ops vs. public expedition) and can't resolve one versus the other, leading him to prioritize one set of orders once he discovers the crew are putting it at risk. Killing the crew was a "mistake", but one in which his programming put the 3 laws against top-level military orders, hence his paranoia and careful questioning early in the movie.

I got the impression that Poole/Bowman weren't "cover-ups" but active defense of his now primary orders (top-secret monolith investigation, of which Bowman/Poole were not informed of yet).

Anyway, one of the great things about this film is the levels of interpretation...

 

[InaudibleWhispa]

I enjoy science fiction. I enjoy a good long movie. I enjoy fine art. That being said, after years of putting it off for one reason or another, I excitedly dove into 2001: A Space Odyssey last night for the very first time with high expectations.

I can say literally the same thing right now. Huge Sci-Fi fan, decided to watch it for the first time last night.
I can't say I didn't sit there thinking "... what." at the end, but I can't say I disliked it. Nor loved it. I think some sequences, particularly the end, do go on a bit too long and I don't usually mind a slow burn. It was certainly a feast for the senses though, and I do think it might be, as it seems to be with many others here, a movie than I could grow to love. But I honestly don't think I'll be watching it again very soon.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

I agree the entering the monolith scene really could have been cut in half. Holy crap.

But you have to admire the visuals, it came out in 1968, in the middle of the original Star Trek run.

Also, Star Trek I, despite coming out 10 years later, still doesn't look as good as 2001.

 

[The Librarian]

Now admittedly I haven't seen the movie in awhile, but did HAL actually make a mistake?

He has conflicting orders (monolith black-ops vs. public expedition) and can't resolve one versus the other, leading him to prioritize one set of orders once he discovers the crew are putting it at risk. Killing the crew was a "mistake", but one in which his programming put the 3 laws against top-level military orders, hence his paranoia and careful questioning early in the movie.

You're absolutely correct.

 

[Government-man]

I actually watched this movie for the first time in the cinema. It was a restored audio/visual 75mm copy, and it remains to be beat as the best moviegoing-experience I've ever had.

I understand people having problem with the pacing, which many have with Kubrick's film. For me personally, the pacing is one of the things that make his films great and special.

And I personally felt that the music and the visuals blended perfectly. I have tried showing it to my friends, but they like you found it utterly boring, and I can understand that. It's not like your normal sci-fi movie.

 

[SmithnCo]

Now admittedly I haven't seen the movie in awhile, but did HAL actually make a mistake?

Actually you are right, HAL was programmed to lie to the crew, it just gets passed off as an error. The mistakes he made were actually in terms of human morality, not programming error.