Is this a frame-breaking, pivotal work that changed science fiction movies for ever? Is it slow and lacking a conventional plot? Is it prescient, showing some amazing - perhaps in some cases self-fulfilling - prophecies of a future which is now (partly) realised.
Yes. It's all of these things.
But what it is not, is entertaining in normal sense. The characters are not engaging and they lack the depth we might hope for. To be honest, it's not particularly well acted and much of the dialogue is banal. Also, the sections without dialogue are immense. I wonder if we're meant to be discussing what the "message" is as the movie plays - as you might in an art gallery looking at a painting or an installation.
But be in no doubt: you should watch 2001 if you haven't already. The sight of Kubrick's prediction of the iPad is worth the watch alone, because this is some forty years before Apple "invented" the concept. And then, of course, there's HAL, the artificial intelligence.
As some others here have implied, it might be best to watch the film where sections can be speeded up. As with Shakespeare's plays, the way we watch has changed and this film could do with a none-too-deferential re-edit for a modern audience. Apparently 19 minutes was cut after a doubtful response to previews. Now, half a century on, another twenty minutes off the running time would certainly not be missed. 8/10
Yes. It's all of these things.
But what it is not, is entertaining in normal sense. The characters are not engaging and they lack the depth we might hope for. To be honest, it's not particularly well acted and much of the dialogue is banal. Also, the sections without dialogue are immense. I wonder if we're meant to be discussing what the "message" is as the movie plays - as you might in an art gallery looking at a painting or an installation.
But be in no doubt: you should watch 2001 if you haven't already. The sight of Kubrick's prediction of the iPad is worth the watch alone, because this is some forty years before Apple "invented" the concept. And then, of course, there's HAL, the artificial intelligence.
As some others here have implied, it might be best to watch the film where sections can be speeded up. As with Shakespeare's plays, the way we watch has changed and this film could do with a none-too-deferential re-edit for a modern audience. Apparently 19 minutes was cut after a doubtful response to previews. Now, half a century on, another twenty minutes off the running time would certainly not be missed. 8/10