by David C. Terr

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Title: 2001: A Space Odyssey

Director: Stanley Kubriick

Starring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter, Douglas Rain

Release Date: Apr. 6, 1968 (USA)

Running Time: 141 min

Genres: Adventure, Sci-Fi

 

Commentary
2001: A Space Odyssey is my favorite movie of all time. I have watched it about 30 times, mostly on videotape, over the past 30 years. The first time I watched it I was utterly amazed by the futuristic cinematography and depicted technology, as well as the special effects, including zero gravity simulation. I also enjoyed and still enjoy the profound mystery of the story.

Plot Summary
The plot of 2001 revolves around a strange black rectangular slab known as the Monolith. This mysterious object appears on the following four occasions:

• on Earth millions of years ago where it is discovered by primitive man
• buried 40 feet below the lunar surface in 1999
• a much larger version in orbit about Jupiter in 2001
• in front of David Bowman's bed at the end of the movie, before he is transformed into the Star Child

Philosophy
2001 is a very deep and mysterious movie. Part of the beauty of 2001 is that it leaves the following questions unanswered.

• What does it mean?
• What is the purpose of the Monolith?
• What is the significance of the Star Child?

I think the Monolith represents some form of higher intelligence, a seed of some sort, which causes man to discover tools and advance to the point at which he rediscovers it on the moon in 1999 and finally orbiting about Jupiter in 2001. The Star Child represents David Bowman after having evolved to a higher form of consciousness. As such, he is no longer made of matter and can now travel throughout the universe at will.

Movie Clips

Here's the original trailer.

Here's a clip from "The Dawn of Man", in which the apes are visited by the Monolith and discover tools.

 

Here's a clip of David Bowman entering the Monolith.

 

Here's the trippy ending in which David Bowman gets transformed into the Star Child.

 

2001 - A Space Odyssey Blueprints Music Theme Sounds Trailer