2001: A Space Odyssey
Oscar Sparkes

Review by Oscar Sparkes

2001: A Space Odyssey 1968

★★★★½

Watched 16 Aug 2020

"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. I can feel it. I can feel it. I'm afraid."

After much strenuous anticipation, I can finally say I have seen 2001: A Space Odyssey, which is what many would argue-Stanley Kubrick's most influencial, and greatest commitment to cinema. While that may be, this sci-fi epic, as captivating as it is to behold (courtesy of its creative set/costuming design and sheer stunning visual effects that holds up to today's standards) continues to elude it's audience with its ambiguity.

It goes without saying that its iconography is the film's defining aspect, but I fear that is all I can truly appreciate from this movie. The juxtaposing themes of man vs machine and humanity's existentialism cloud the plot with a deep, thought-provoking approach that has been interpreted from many an angle. The symbolism, regarding both the monolith and the ending scene leaves audiences either scratching their heads or contemplating its intricacy for days on end.

On the whole, the plot progresses rather slowly, and in an interesting choice by Kubrick is told visually, using as little dialogue as possible.

While its story may not invest you unlike many of Kubrick's other ground-breaking classics, 2001: A Space Odyssey will visually blow you away and challenge you on a thought-provoking level, and is in that regard a must-see film.

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