Thoughts on 2001

[TimothyC]

On the 29th I went to see 2001 in IMAX 4k (as opposed to the 70mm print being shown in NYC, LA, SF, Toronto, & Indianapolis) and I would like to share a few thoughts.
1. The film is visually impressive even on DVD, and is absolutely stunning in 4k on a big screen. At the start, when Floyd is aboard the Orion III, you can actually see movement in the windows - It's not static like one would expect.
2. The audio work is good. A bit loud for my tastes, but good. The sound design is great, which is more a testament to Kubrick than anything.
3. Intermission. A chance to stand up and move a bit, even in a medium length movie is great. I wish more movies did this, but it would limit pacing decisions.
4. This was the first time in years that I actually watched 2001 as a cohesive unit and I must say that the movie is, itself, SUPREMELY BORING. I may have to watch my DVD of 2010 just to wipe away the damage this one did.

[Eternal_Freedom]

My opinion on the film is basically, a very interesting concept and about 1 hour of fascinating (if slow-paced) plot wrapped up in another hour of utterly stunning effects work and music.

2010 is definitely superior as a cohesive film, but then I thought the book 2010 was better than the first one anyway (and is incidentally my all-time favourite SF work).

[Batman]

IIRC 2010 was a book that was eventually turned into a movie whereas 2001 was a movie from the start and the book was written as a companion piece (didn't the book also have the monolith hanging around Saturn rather than Jupiter?)

[Crazedwraith]

IIRC 2010 was a book that was eventually turned into a movie whereas 2001 was a movie from the start and the book was written as a companion piece (didn't the book also have the monolith hanging around Saturn rather than Jupiter?)

I think you've got that backwards? 2001 was a book adapted into a movie and 2010 was done both at the same time?

[Eternal_Freedom]

Nope, you've got it backwards mate. Kubrick and Clarke worked on both the book and the film of 2001 more-or-less simultaneously. 2010 the book was written a number of years before the film came out (in 1987 IIRC).

And yes, in the book of 2001 the Monolith was around Iapetus, a moon of Saturn.

[Crazedwraith]

Fair enough, I stand corrected.

[Eternal_Freedom]

The last time I watched 2001 I had the random thought of "This feels like a Twilight Zone episode that got a massive effects budget and stretched out into a feature film.

[TimothyC]

Nope, you've got it backwards mate. Kubrick and Clarke worked on both the book and the film of 2001 more-or-less simultaneously. 2010 the book was written a number of years before the film came out (in 1987 IIRC).

And yes, in the book of 2001 the Monolith was around Iapetus, a moon of Saturn.

2010 the book came out in 1982, the movie in 1984. 2061 was published in 1987.
Also, the start of 2001 came from the short stories "Encounter at dawn" & "The Sentinel", both of which predate 2001.

[Eternal_Freedom]

Huh, I thought 2010 the film was considerably later than the book, since Clarke wasn't involved. Ah well. Still an amazing film.

[Jub]

Honestly, I've never finished 2001. It's been years since I've tried but the pacing is too slow to make the cool scenes and awe-inspiring effects worth it. I'd watch it for a film class or something but as something enjoyable to just throw on I can't see the appeal.

[Batman]

Hey, at least it makes TMP look fast-paced by comparison

[JI_Joe84]

I've got both 2001 and 2010 on blue ray (I found them at a pawn shop of all places) and I thought 2001 was good as a sales pitch for NASA's exo-orbital human space flight ambitions. You had space station's under construction and that space shuttle, moon bases. Only thing I do not recall was a space hook or space elevator.
Maybe the elevator was not high tech enough for the movie but it does make getting things going to the outer solar system a lot easier. Wish they at least included it in a window or some thing.

[Elheru Aran]

As for 2001.... splendid effects, very well realized sci-fi... but my god. Every single time, I swear, that I have watched that movie? I'm asleep by the time the spinny light-show ends. No joke.

I mean, okay. The start of it is alright, has a bit of funky action with the monkey people. Then you get about a hour of people standing around and talking. Half a hour, if that, of things getting interesting. Then Dave goes into the Monolith, and... *poof* I'm gone.

It's a great piece of art cinema. It's not so much a great piece of *watchable* cinema.