2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) directed by Stanley Kubrick

AFI Top 100: #15

Aaahhhhhh.

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH.

Considered a classic by any filmmaker's standards, 2001: A Space Odyssey is, in my opinion, the most terrifying film ever made. It is not your typical horror film by any means, as it is classified as science-fiction, but it definitely scared me and brought out many emotions that I have never experienced during a movie before. This film is a must-see for everyone, and while it is painful to sit through, it is necessary for any moviegoer. It is revolutionary for its cinematography and technology used for the time, all thanks to one of, if not THE, most controversial director of all time. With a compelling story and spectacular visual effects, this movie is an exceptional entity in the world of cinema.

I do not believe that there is any room for improvement or alteration in this film, because the infamous and (possibly clinically) insane Stanley Kubrick had a message he wanted to get to his audience, and he definitely accomplished that in the scariest way possible. The writing in this film is truly extraordinary, offering a glimpse into what Kubrick, back in 1968, thought would be the future of human civilization in 2001. While he was not entirely far off, it is still a bit far-fetched for only 33 years in their future. That does not change the effect of this movie, however, as it may be the most thought-provoking and existential film ever created. If you thought Interstellar messed you up, you ain't seen nothing yet. 2001: A Space Odyssey is the grandfather of all mind-blowing films, and was enhanced by the great cinematography and special effects that were utilized. The effects in this film are so attention-grabbing, and they are used extraordinarily well for the 60's. Kubrick believes in "every frame is a painting," and that is no exception in this movie. Each individual shot was gorgeous in its own right, and that trademark Kubrick style was evident throughout the entire film.

The story in the film took many turns and made me feel things that I did not know could be felt during a movie. The film starts out with the dawn of man and focuses on a small tribe of early ape-like humans. Kubrick's goal from this movie was to show how far we have come as a civilization and where we might be headed next, due to evolutionary changes. While the dawn of man scenes only lasted for the first 25 minutes of the film, it was captivating to watch how primitive humans were. And all of a sudden, in one of the most legendary jump-cuts in history, an ape throws a bone into the air and we are suddenly transported into space above Earth in 2001. This sudden jump was so shocking but thrilling, and Kubrick did a great job of hiding when that was going to happen. In the year 2001, we follow the quest of a few astronauts sent to Jupiter to uncover a mysterious object. This object is known only as the monolith. The writing in this film reveals that the monolith had been placed in our universe to advance human evolution. Our first glimpse of this strange, monochrome-black pillar is actually the first shot of the film, a completely black screen, and we see it again throughout the steps of evolution that Kubrick is describing. The song "Requiem" by György Ligeti is also used every time the monolith is seen, which only adds that extra layer of disorientation and queasiness that I now experience seeing the black tower. As villainous as HAL 9000 was in the film, the monolith is what really screwed me up. This movie made me physically uneasy and unsettled, and kept me squirming at the sight and sound of the alien object.

HAL 9000 is often seen as the main antagonist of this film, which in many ways, he is. But I believe he is simply a pawn in the monolith's evolutionary game. I know that I am focusing my review on this tall, spooky column, but I believe that the monolith may be one of the scariest characters ever created, no matter its staleness. One thing that stands out about this film is its use of music and silence. Very few words and full conversations are actually heard, and the silence of it all adds to the eerie tone. Rightfully so, may I add. The aspect that truly makes this film unforgettable, however, is its ending. The final thirty minutes of this movie will, no doubt, leave a first-timer thinking "what the hell just happened?" From the extended shots of the universe passing by the main character Dave to the rapid eye-blinking shot, it gives the audience plenty of time to think about existence and what else could be out there. This is what I loved so much about the writing in this film; there are endless possibilities as to what is occurring, as Kubrick lets the audience bathe in their own self-reflection and existentialism. While there are many varied explanations out there about what was trying to be expressed, I personally concluded that the monolith had been controlling the universe as we know it since the dawn of man. In the final scene, we see Dave aging quickly towards the end of his life, as the monolith towers over his deathbed for one last appearance. Once Dave passes, we see his spectral form turn into that of a star-child, resembling a newborn. The monolith has completed its task and Dave is sent back to Earth to rule as its new version of God, taking over the role of the monolith. This was Kubrick's prediction for the final step of human evolution, and it is so unbelievably scary that it made me shudder. It probably did not help that I was watching it alone in the dark.

Filled with great performances, revolutionary effects, and an incomparable storyline, 2001: A Space Odyssey is such a powerful film that will last for ages. Watching it for the first time was an eye-opening experience, and it gave me such pride in knowing that films like this exist. Films that make such an impact on you, that you question everything. And it is even more impressive that it was released in 1968. I would absolutely recommend this film, as it is a necessity for any moviegoer. Just don't let the phrase "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that" get stuck in your head. Also, pause the movie every now and then to take some breathers. You'll thank me later.

My Rating: ★★★★★