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2001: A SPAC E ODY SSE Y

Cinematic Spaces Review By Adam Stone
2001: A Space Odyssey Review !

This brilliant film by Stanley Kubrick, 2001: A Space Odyssey, left many in amazement and confusion after a first time watch. however after some background reading and some analytical observations it can be a truly breathtaking experience. its no surprise that this film has been referenced in several other shows ranging from modern to old. According to Stanley Kubricks biographer John Baxter, Kubrick decided to use the Sinar Front Projection system for the desert backdrops during the animal/ape scenes. Fig 2

This method was selected because rear projection of the desert scenes would have proved too murky for Super Panavision. The use of the Sinar system explains why in the scene where the leopard is sitting next to the dead zebra (in reality a painted dead horse) the leopard's eyes glow a bright color. The Sinar system used glass transparencies as backdrops; however, the projectors necessary for this system were so hot that a draft or a breath could crack the glass. As a result, crew members were required to wear face masks, which started a long-persistent rumor that Kubrick had a paranoia of catching infections.[1] This is very interesting, it shows us that Kubrick really thought

2001: A Space Odyssey Review !

about his audiences experience while watching his film, it shows that hes extremely dedicated to his passion - film making. 2001: A Space Odyssey had an estimated budget of around $10,500,000, which is around $56,715,371 now due too inflation. Which is no small amount of money. It allowed Kubrick to fully express his creative intentions and make a brilliant film that would be set to change Sci-Fi film history. But just why is this film considered to be one of the best of all time? The storyline deals with thematic elements of human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence, and extraterrestrial life, and is notable for its scientific realism, pioneering special effects, ambiguous and often surreal imagery, sound in place of traditional narrative techniques, and minimal use of dialogue.[2] The beginning scene that is supposed to showcase the birth of man is beautifully set with extremely realistic depth and sense of space. Displaying the vast expanse of wasteland, much like the later space scenes. The apes, after discovering weapons and tools, take dominance from the previously stronger pack utilizing their newly found weapons. Soon after a large monolith appears. But why does this monolith appear? Still 1

It is believed that the monolith appears when an evolutionary step is reached. It is also notable that the music that plays during the long black intermissions is the same as the music that plays when the monolith appears. Could we as-

2001: A Space Odyssey Review !

sume that during these intermissions we are looking into the monolith? entranced by its menacing song and dark appearance? Much like the apes at the dawn? Before we know it we are swept up into space, aboard a beautifully futuristic spaceship that maintains a very familiar feel, being that many of the furniture looks very 60s along with some of the fashion pieces that some of the actors wear. This could be to relate the audience of the time to the elements of this otherwise foreign concept. Still 2

Its an interesting point to note that, aboard the ship, down the walkways and in the zero gravity areas, the walls are cushioned. Probably to act as a protector just incase someone loses grip on the floor and might float into something. This adds a level of realism to the scene, despite the fact that its only a minor change, it gives us enough information to begin believing in the realism of the

2001: A Space Odyssey Review !

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production.Then we find ourselves in a briefing room, traditionally very boring rooms and its no difference in this film, despite the fact that so much effort was spent to make every scene in the film visually pleasing. Its interesting to note that this scene has been kept boring to ensure a sense of relation to the viewer to once again keep a sense of realism about the film. Still 4

2001: A Space Odyssey Review !

Here (below) we can see the monolith making another appearance, this time because man has begun excavating the moon. In this scene its very easy to be convinced that youre actually on the moon, with large expanses of sharp rock, the earth in the background and even the realism of the expedition dig site. The similarities that coincide this scene with the dawn of man scene is rather incredible; both have large, barren and unexplored expanses, both show mans territory being invaded by the monolith and both modern man and ape are mesmerized and extraordinarily confused by the monoliths existence. Much like the viewer when watching the film, this could be evidence towards the suggestion that the monolith is shown to the viewer during the black-screen intermissions. Still 5

The next set of scenes that show Frank, Dave and HAL on the ship. its reasonable to assume that were watching the humans from HALs perspective. This is illustrated very well in the first moments where we see Frank running round a seemingly zero gravity room from 1 camera that pans slowly to follow Franks movements. this is then supported by a very menacing shot that shows one of HALs interface cameras.

2001: A Space Odyssey Review !

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In actual fact, all shots from this point onwards are very awkward and very still as if we are watching from a camera. Perhaps watching from HALs perspective? Needless to say things dont go very well from this point onwards, as HAL attempts to take dominance from the humans on the ship, sensing their weaknesses and realizing his superior intellect. Almost exactly like the apes

2001: A Space Odyssey Review !

from the dawn of man that took dominance from the other pack by utilizing their superior knowledge. After losing Frank to the void of space, Dave manages to shut down HAL, we are then introduced to the next set of scenes. These scenes are which sparked the most success and value out of this film, simply due to the fact that it was a very good trip for drug users at the time. It also confuses a lot of viewers due to the fact that it seemingly comes out of nowhere. Still 8

we are then taken through a series of fly-over landscape scenes, these landscapes are very barren and void of any signs of life, could this signify the restart of time? Had man reached its pinnacle of evolution only to be reset again by strange beings? The ending to this film will always be a mystery and left to interpretation. Kubrick states when asked to explain the plot "I don't want to because I think that the power of the ending is based on the subconscious emotional reaction of the audience, which has a delayed effect. To be specific about it, certainly to be specific about what it's supposed to mean, spoils people's pleasure and denies them their own emotional reactions.[3].

2001: A Space Odyssey Review !

Bibliography
(Fig 1) - Front Page Poster Art http://stevepell.ca/2001-a-space-odyssey-fan-poster/

[1] - IMDB. Baxter, J. Biographer for Kubrick http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/

(Fig 2) - Diagram for the Sinar system http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Front_projection_effect.jpg

[2] - IMDB. Anon. FAQ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/faq#.2.1.42

[3] - IMDB. Anon. FAQ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/faq#.2.1.42

2001: A Space Odyssey Review !