2001 - A Space Odyssey DVD > Reviews

Advantages: Excellent storyline, brilliant effects
Disadvantages: It's loooooooooooooong

In the mid-1960s Stanley Kubrick wanted to make a science-fiction movie which would deal with the space exploration and the prospect of the existence of extra-terrestrials. He had previously made the satirical DR. STRANGELOVE, which with its theme of nuclear destruction skirted the genre. Here however, working with the acclaimed science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, Kubrick came up with the science-fiction classic 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. The film ... Read review

Advantages: Very intriguing movie that will make you think
Disadvantages: Boring at times

...at the same time mesmerized. With 2001 Kubrik takes a fairly mundane storyline, adds much grandeur to the movie, and then blows us away with the metaphoric journey through man's insignificance. From the very first scene where a group of primitive apes are equal to every other life form, and essentially have the same instincts and thirst for survival we immediately realize that Kubrick is concentrating on the reality of what man ... Read review

Advantages: A unique, one of a kind masterpiece.
Disadvantages: The film is demanding of its audience.

2001 is an utterly unique, one-of- a- kind-film offering a visual and aural experience to its audience like no film has done before or since. It is a demanding film however and it does require one to work at the experience of watching and experiencing the film. If you try and sit back and insist the film PROVE itself to you… well you'll probably think that 2001 is one of the longest, slowest and most over-rated films that has ever been made. A ... Read review

Advantages: A classic, groundbreaking film with enough mystery to make it last
Disadvantages: Seems dated, will not be to everyone's taste

2001 : A Space Odyssey Anyone who hasn't seen Stanley Kubrick's influential sci-fi film may already be familiar with aspects of its plot. these could include the idea of classical music in space, realistic science concepts, the hal computer and some confusing stuff about a huge baby in space or something. Being a fan of modern sci-fi I decided that I needed to see this film and I wasn't disappointed. "2001" has often been described as the ... Read review

Advantages: Awesome visually, realistic space sequences, atmospheric soundtrack, HAL
Disadvantages: Demands attention, makes you draw your own conclusions, which some people find frustrating

...Oz. Go figure..... I first saw 2001 at a drive-in cinema in Canada when I was six years old. The memory has never left me. It was a warm evening and there was not a cloud in the sky so you can imagine the effect of a starfield on the screen set against the background of the real thing. Of course, I was too young to have a clue what was going on but I knew it was something special. Here we are some thirty years later and my opinion has not changed. ... Read review

Advantages: Good sfx, actors try hard, sound, atmosphere, could have been great
Disadvantages: Dumbed-down storyline, tries to live up to its mystical sequel but fails

...Valhalla of Stanley Kubrick's original 2001 (1968). Even with big budgets, gee-whizz sfx and better production values Hyamms must have guessed that all this counts for naught if you don't can't get the right emotional "feel" one got from the original. If one forgets 2001 and puts 2010 in its own context then it is a very good film, a trifle contrived perhaps but nicely done. I think using the rather dated Cold War as a sub plot to US/USSR space ... Read review

Advantages: Open the pod bay doors HAL.
Disadvantages: Sorry, I can't do that Dave.

...side, some people can find 2001 obscure, obtuse, irrational or even dull, and admittedly, if you're not in the mood for it, some parts can be a little hard to bear (yes, especially the long psychedelic sequence towards the end). Personally, I find it intense, emotional and uplifting - I guess it's up to the individual as to whether they actually like the film or not, but regardless, keep an open mind, be patient, and try to decide for yourself. ... Read review

Advantages: Kubrick
Disadvantages: sometimes too long

I got the DVD version of Stanley Kubrick, A 2001: A Space odyssey for Christmas. The film is viewed by many people as one of the best Sci-Fi films of all times, but at the same time one of the most difficult to understand. The DVD is part of the Stanley Kubrick collection and can be found at any good shop. This version is digitally restored and remastered, and is 2.21:1 widescreen. This means that it best watched on a widescreen telly, but to be ... Read review

Advantages: HAL
Disadvantages: Patronising

...how 'different' it is from 2001. The first film was a very cold, detached and calculated affair, wheras this one is almost as much about people as it is about space and aliens. The whole story is played out alongside a struggle for power between America and Russia (he he he), which is used to illustrate the futility of war in the cosmic scale of things, and the film conveys many positive message of co-operation and peace. Yes, it's all very sugar ... Read review

Advantages: Visionary special effects, cinematography and use of score
Disadvantages: v-e-r-y- l-o-o-o-ng periods of nothing much

Okay, during a recent three-month period of unemployment, I thought 'now is the time to watch even MORE movies that I've always meant to take the time to sit down and see'... So I went for one of the biggies, yes I'd never actually sat down to watch Stanley Kubrick's '2001: a space odyssey' and took a couple of days to get through it. My first comment - I am SO glad I had the remote and the fast forward button, I think I would have died of ... Read review

Advantages: An all-time classic
Disadvantages: none

I was introduced to 2001 as a student in the 60s. It made a huge impact on me then, and now, nearly 30 years later, every time I see the movie, the impact is just as great. Arthur C Clarke went to school in the same town as I live, and I have met his brother Fred several times. He is a lovely, unassuming, modest man and I believe Arthur to be the same. However, the great movie 2001 must be Clarke's most famous work and for which he will be remembered. ... Read review

Advantages: Original, soul-searching
Disadvantages: Not a lot of people can sit through it

Stanley Kubrick's 2001 was based on the book by Arthur C. Clarke and was a project that I guess only Kubrick could take on and do well. He had one of the best directorial eyes in the world of cinema and could practically see a film before he started it. It is hard to say what it is about. I suppose the main story is a ship on the first journey to Jupiter. Two astronauts inhabit the ship, which is mainly operated by a computer, HAL. When HAL malfunctions ... Read review