Odyssey in Space
2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the best sci-fi movies and books ever created and for sure could be considered a masterpiece in its time and even now – though I know some people will disagree… I got this amazing opportunity to watch it on the big screen and isn’t this a perfect opportunity to talk more about this one?!
I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.
Let me blow your mind first: Kubrick took us on this interstellar odyssey in 1968. Allow me to say it one more time: 1-9-6-8. For some reason I thought it was closer to the 80s, but no – this visual work of art was created in the late 60s.
And curiously enough, the film script was developed simultaneously with the book – oh yes, Arthur C. Clarke worked closely with Stanley Kubrick. Essentially, the story is almost 1-to-1 identical, but the movie is abstract and visual, relying heavily on imagery, music, and minimal dialogue to convey its themes.
So, today I will focus on said themes and my overall experience each time I encounter HAL 9000 and like I said to my girls on Thursday – it’s once every two years. And yes, you guessed it: 2001: A Space Odyssey is one of my favorite movies, even though I have like 30 favorite movies…
Eighteen months ago the first evidence of intelligent life off the Earth was discovered. It was buried 40 feet below the lunar surface near the crater Tycho.
Now, I understand that this movie is not for everyone. I can practically hear my mum saying that the visual effects are so painful to look at (especially that “trip” scene, 13 minute long montage of colors, shapes and unsettling music), but… BUT! Kubrick got an Oscar for the effects for a reason.
It was the first time spaceships were presented so accurately – my apologies, Star Trek, you know I love you! And for the first time, we actually got a glimpse of “future” solutions and artificial intelligence.
HAL 9000, and that was quite scary, was designed to almost feel and interact like a real human. Human’s feelings and emotions combined with unmistakable intellect , computing powers and control made HAL so dangerous. And tell me, isn’t that what we all fear now? But hey, we will come back to this later.
It can only be attributable to human error.
2001: A Space Odyssey has four main parts: The dawn of men, TMA-1, Jupiter Mission and Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite. Each of the parts directly fuels the next one, creating a smooth, but slow story. And the slowness, the matriculate shots of space, spaceships, the sleek interior is one of the components that makes this film so special. It is perfect, in every aspect. And no wonder it is, because Kubrick was known for his perfectionism.
So, here is a small breakdown of the four parts:
- The Dawn of Man: The movie starts with a portrayal of prehistoric humans, focusing on a group of hominids who encounter the mysterious black monolith. The monolith seems to spark a leap in intelligence of the beings, leading to the discovery of tools – in this case something to smash things with.
- TMA-1: Fast (that is a good joke, am I right?) forward to the year 2001, where a monolith, identical to the one seen in the prehistoric era, is found buried deep on the moon. When exposed to sunlight, it emits a powerful signal directed at… Jupiter.
- Jupiter Mission: Then, we travel in the spaceship Discovery One to Jupiter. The ship’s crew, along with the super-intelligent computer HAL 9000, are tasked with exposing the mystery behind the monolith. However, HAL begins to malfunction, leading to a destructive conflict with the crew.
- Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite: The final part of the film is the most enigmatic, thought-provoking and confusing part, featuring astronaut Dave Bowman’s journey through the monolith near Jupiter, leading to a surreal, tripping experience and his transformation into the “Star Child,” a being of pure energy. If that is not a proper Twin Peaks vibe, then I don’t know what is… 😉
You’re the brain, and central nervous system of the ship, and your responsibilities include watching over the men in hibernation. Does this ever cause you any lack of confidence?
One would think – only four parts, but trust me, they take a good while. Each one of them catered to with immense precision and attention to details. If I was to choose my favorite, I would pick the Jupiter Mission, the fall of HAL 9000 and the (supposed) triumph of man.
But instead of choosing the part, I choose to focus more on the themes 2001: A Space Odyssey touches upon – human evolution, existentialism and the unknown, artificial intelligence and technological sublimity.
For instance, each part of the movie is somehow bound or driven by the mysterious monolith that acts like a trigger for significant steps, or no – leaps – in human evolution. From primitive tools to advanced space crafts. That also leads to questions about humanity’s place in the universe, the nature of consciousness and the evergreen question about life beyond Earth.
The separate, insanely interesting aspect for me is of course the technology. The way Kubrick presented the rotating space station, without use of CGI? And mind you, something like this did not exist in the 60s. But does it remind you of something? Interstellar, perhaps?
But the absolute core for me is HAL 9000, the purest form of artificial intelligence. Kubrick’s exploration of AI gives us a glimpse of both the potential and the dangers of machine intelligence, especially a thinking one.
Well, it’s rather difficult to define. Perhaps I’m just projecting my own concern about it.I know I’ve never completely freed myself from the suspicion that there are some extremely odd things about this mission. I’m sure you agree there’s some truth in what I say.
Of course, the thing that makes 2001: A Space Odyssey so special are the innovative special effects. Now, when you watch early Star Trek or even Star Wars, there is something heartwarming about their visuals. But the one in the Odyssey? I am absolutely mesmerized, every single time.
And the visuals combined with the classical music like Richard Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra and Johann Strauss II’s The Blue Danube waltz? It’s poetry, it rhymes. And with that, Kubrick gave us as little dialogue as possible, letting the visuals speak louder than words.
No wonder some conspiracy theorist accused Kubrick of helping to “fabricate” the Moon landing – but hey, I absolutely understand this baseless concern, because the movie had such an accurate depiction of space. But Kubrick worked with NASA and scientists, wanting to ensure scientific accuracy.
I’m afraid. I’m afraid, Dave. Dave, my mind is going. I can feel it. I can feel it. My mind is going. There is no question about it. I can feel it.
There is no doubt that 2001: A Space Odyssey left a permanent mark on the world of cinema. Kubrick challenged the accords of traditional narrative storytelling, pushing the boundaries of what a science fiction film could (and should) be.
Its influence extends beyond science fiction though, impacting a wide range of genres and artistic mediums. The film’s exploration of existential themes, combined with its technical achievements, has immediately guaranteed its place as a timeless masterpiece.
What do you think about it, Lot? Do you get chills when you hear that sound?
