2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Imagine watching this film opening night in a New York theater. Stanley Kubrick, who was respected for his groundbreaking satire Dr. Strangelove, had been secretly working on a science fiction film and word of it's futuristic sets and special effects had gotten around. Opening night came and the theater was packed with critics from all walks of life. By the time the film was over less than half the audience remained. Among them was Roger Ebert who said, "the genius is not in how much Kubrick does, but in how little. This is the work of an artist so sublimely confident that he doesn't include a single shot simply to keep our attention.​" He's right. In 2021, there are plenty of boring films that exist in Odyssey's shadow but few have come close to the complexity and commitment of Kubrick's vision. As pretentious as this sounds, 2001 is a film that evades meaning. The less we know the better. Considering this movie released amidst the height of LSD's popularity, it was in many ways a movie made for psychedelic users, hippies, freaks. Kubrick even criticized the film reviewers who didn't understand his film by calling them, "materialistic and earthbound." Clearly, smoking a joint before the film was recommended (especially for the film critics of the 60's). Even today 2001 is a safe choice for a trip; there's no triggering events, the film is way more suspenseful but still slow enough to process, there's very pleasant and thought-provoking imagery, the music will be heaven to your ears. Though I believe normal humans are capable of enjoying this film as well. I found it to be bewildering as a teenager and I still do today. The 4k remaster is a completely new experience and if you have the ability to watch this version - it's a must. It looks like it was made in 2021. The timelessness of this film is beyond it's forever wandering plot. Kubrick made a film that's visually timeless as well. It's imagery hasn't aged a bit. This vision of the future is truly beyond it's time and a testament to the often misunderstood genius of Stanley Kubrick.

---