Rating: 
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: 2001 has been one of my favourite films ever since I first saw it in 1968. The film was then, and still currently is, a dazzling visual feast to behold. Having watched recent films such as Star Wars Ep. 2, I'm rather happy to say that most of the special effects still look very good and new to me.
What makes this movie absolutely magnificent to watch is simply because it is one of the most thought-provoking films in history: the film forces us to come up with our own conclusions and ideas. Some will view it as humanity's eventual redemption through death and rebirth, while others will have ideas concerning the dehumanization of humanity by technology. Or it might just be about the unknown that is still out there in space, waiting for us to find it out.
What most people tend to do is to compare the film with other sci-fi movies, such as Star Wars, the Matrix, or Red Planet. In my opinion, 2001 cannot really be compared with any other sci-fi movie (with the possible exception of Tarkovsky's "Solaris"), because, well, it's not really a sci-fi movie. 2001 is a timeless philosophical film that tackles the timeless question of man's place in the universe---merely using the sci-fi theme as a backdrop for the question. But 2001 doesn't try to answer the question, it simply gives a possible theory of what could have happened (which still doesn't answer it); the film is simply Kubrick's way of expressing that question concerning the meaning of our existence.
The movie is full of glorious cinematography and some very memorable scenes; who will ever forget Kubrick's imposing sunrise sequence? Or the space station revolving round to the tune of the Blue Danube?
Ultimately, this is a dazzling achievement for film history, and will forever on stand as one of Kubrick's greatest achievements. A masterpiece, to be sure.
Rating: 
Summary: Way Over Rated
Review: 2001 has come and gone and it looks nothing like what happened in Standly Kubrick's and Arthur C. Clark's tale of human evolution and discovery. An hour could be easily cut out this movie, it is filled with segments of spaceships taking off, floating, and landing to classical music. The actually time is spent on charter and plot development is a tenth of what it should be, out of 148 minutes only about 60 of it is devoted to story. The sequel 2010, is better in story telling and pacing then 2001 When a strange monolith is discovered on the moon it is concluded that this block of blackness was placed there roughly 3 million years ago. 18 months later a mission was sent to Jupiter to look at the monstrous monolith that is a hundred times bigger. But the Ships Super Computer, the HAL 9000 goes bonkers and kills everyone except one crewman name David Bowmen. Bowmen throws caution to the wind and looks into the monolith, when he is suddenly catapulted into a life and an existence that is one step below God.
Rating: 
Summary: A major disappointment
Review: 2001 is a brilliant movie, and deserves far more respect than it has been given with this awful DVD version. The image quality is dreadful; the star fields ripple with artefacts, and the whole thing looks like it was hastily transferred from a VHS tape. If you already own this on video tape, don't bother buying it on DVD, and hope for a better release in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Science Fiction at it's best
Review: 2001 is a classic ,it's special effects still stand up to today's technology I only wish I could watch this movie for the first time again
Rating:
Summary: Science Fiction at it's best
Review: 2001 is a classic, it's special effects still stand up to today's technology, I wish I could again watch this movie for the first time.
Rating:
Summary: A cinematic classic
Review: 2001 is a film of subtlety. The meanings of what transpires are not straightforward, and everyone will find something different from the movie's themes. While this may be the case, the questions that arise are some of the most interesting questions that could possibly be asked. The obvious centerpoint of these questions is a black monolith which is in several pivotal scenes. There is no clear understanding of what the monolith is; some people claim it is merely a symbol of evolution, while others claim it is instead symbolic of an alien race or of God. An essay I once read by a professor of film actually purported that the monolith is in fact God Himself. The truth is that Kubrick and Clarke were not looking to force an answer on us, but rather wanted us to find an answer for ourselves, much like other works of art. It is up to us to interpret what the various symbols of the movie mean. Another thing you should notice while watching is that the film is essentially divided into four parts: the beginning of man; man at the year 2001; man as he ventures out into space to find the meaning of the monolith; and man as he enters some form of parallel universe, be it the afterlife or the realm of aliens. It is interesting to note that three of these sections are titled: the first, third, and fourth sections. Kubrick is clearly saying something here about how we have evolved. You'll notice as the first sequence cuts to the second that one "tool" of man becomes another, more complicated tool. Yet, there is no new title to this sequence, for perhaps we have not really evolved as people from our ancient roots. Technology is not given a favorable view in 2001, which is Kubrick's way of saying that technology does not make us "better" people. For all we have accomplished, we still kill each other by the boatload. Notice carefully what the first tool is used for. Also, pay attention to how much of a subject birth is in the film. I didn't notice the first time I watched, but there are five times when birth is directly or indirectly referenced. It should be mentioned that the film is not fast-paced, nor is there much dialogue. In fact, it is perhaps thirty minutes before any words are spoken. Be prepared for a long, artistic, beautiful journey into the nature of man, and our beliefs of a higher being.
Rating:
Summary: Kubrick Was Inspired by Angels
Review: 2001 is a film that has affected me in a profound way, and I've recently realized that I don't know, nor do I want to know why. Before the words your reading now this review was a jargonous attempt at making sense of a film that had changed my perception in a radical way. But recently, and for no apparent reason, I was hit with a series of questions. One,... why? Two,... did it matter? And three,... were all those ridiculous interpretations really responsible for the emotion and awe this film inspired in me?
And so, as I can not delete my previous review, I write this now. As an example of pure cinema as possibility, I really feel that 2001 should not be limited, but expanded. Perhaps the larger and greater we make it, the closer we come to why and how it effects us so. Is it merely the symbolic shape of a space ship, or the vast wonder of not knowing, not being able to explain or control the feelings invoked? 2001 has raised film, ART, to heights far greater than anything achieved before or since. It is film as a visual, aural, and emotional expirience that transcends verbal thought. It captures the wonder man must have felt when he first looked up to the stars.
Rating:
Summary: the best sci-fi space movie
Review: 2001 is a great movie with a lot of meanings;however many customer reviews of over 400(don't bother reading them) listed have no clue what this is about or think it should be like star wars(?) maybe about 3 reviews out of the 200 or so i read know what it is about( a little bit),when i have the time i will write my review of it. even roger ebert doesn't get it! after 30+ years you would think someone understands this movie, p.s. the movie came first and was released in cinerama(a 3 screen projected film) and then the book was printed later to help tell the story. ...
o.k the mind blowing visuals, the fantastic classical music, the special effects by douglas trumbull, the story by arthur c. clarke,the monolith! HAL 9000, is going to be replaced by HAL 10000! a new much more advanced learning automated spacecraft.so he must be taken away from earth to be destroyed since it is nuclear powered and would cause a catastrophe if on earth. so they send him on an important mission in his programming but don't tell him why. that is why the mission astronauts 'whisper' but HAL can learn fast and catches on ' something is to happen' and won't let them jeopardize the mission. so they can't decommission him and then go out of the ship in space to get to his control boards to turn him off. but HAL knows he's getting unplugged but can't figure out why, so he doesn't open the pod bay doors to let dave back in!
instead of dave to rendezvous with another ship ,and safely escape the coming explosion he's lost in space!
then the monolith appears which diverts attention to the next step of humankind on jupiter.
thats what its about. yes it has philosophical meaning too, but its really a 'space junk' movie! that might sound harsh, but it is the basic plot with all the other meanings of life and exploration mixed in it.
it still is the best 'space' movie because everything is true to what we knew about space in 1968. there is no sound in space,constant turning movement of objects and ships in a spinning motion ,just like the planets,evolution from apes?(maybe),and HAL is an homage to IBM one letter to the left of each ibm, the only computer company back then.
so relax , kick back and enjoy the ride!
Rating:
Summary: Why, Why, Why!
Review: 2001 is a landmark film and way ahead of its time. You would think that such a film would be presented better on DVD. Lesser films have Documentarys, commentaries, interviews, and other bonus content. Not this DVD version. It would have been nice to have an interview of Arthur C. Clarke, or an interview of some of the Apollo Astronauts (who were "Wowed" by 2001 just prior to their own space adventures). The final insult is the cardboard snap case this DVD comes in. WB does not give a damm about the consumer.
Rating:
Summary: A REAL sci-fi movie
Review: 2001 is a realistic and intriguing film. It is a Real Sci-Fi movie. Most films are based on the "fiction" part of this genre but this film touches on both. I for one would not care if this movie was 24 hours long. People who have watched an actual space walk in its entirety would understand the true nature of this film. For those who say this movie is boreing are overlooking the REAL scientific understanding Kubrick put into it. Movies like Star Wars (though exciting) lack all logical explanations for the way they were filmed. 2001 is a realistcaly portrayed future. If this movie is boreing, then I guess life is boreing as well. (Do not compare the movie to the book. Books are always better and everyone should know that by now.)
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