Rating: 
Summary: Probably best seen in a theater
Review: Arthur C. Clarke's story "The Sentinel" was the launchpad for this groundbreaking, bewildering sci-fi epic, the first of its genre to demand serious artistic appraisal. Superficially, it's about a small crew of astronauts going where no man has gone before and getting sabotaged by their spiteful computer, HAL 9000. But what about the deeper levels? What does it mean? What's the deal with the monolith, the star child, the ape prologue, the weird ending with Victorian furnishings? Some have said the monolith is a radio transmitter placed there by aliens monitoring the progress of mankind; others insist it symbolizes an indifferent god.This is the movie that made Kubrick's rep as a mysterioso genius; it came at just the right time, and it was popular among those partial to hallucinogens. Me, I think it's the greatest boring movie ever made - so arrogantly static as to fixate your attention and enthrall you even when literally nothing of interest is happening (I think of those endless conference scenes aboard the space station). Cumulatively, it has an impact unmatched by any other science-fiction film except maybe "Metropolis," yet it plays better in memory. I recognize its greatness, but it's not a movie I can watch over and over; it's only two minutes longer than "A Clockwork Orange," but feels a whole lot longer. Purists whined about Peter Hyams' sequel, but I didn't mind it for what it was; the actors were certainly a livelier bunch.
Rating: 
Summary: Face it, it's a Classic
Review: First of all, this is my all-time favorite movie. But I'm not going to go on and on about how wonderful it is. There are plenty of other reviewers out there writing glowing praises about it. What I've noticed when perusing the reviews here as that it seems to comprise of 90% 5 Star reviews and 10% 1 Star reviews with almost no reviews in between the two extremes. Reviewers who gave it one star seem to all agree that the movie is boring, slow, has no plot, no acting, and no characterization. To those reviewers, I recognize your right to your own feelings. I'm not about to condescendingly scold you for not "getting it". I do want to point out that if you are missing the excitement, plot, acting, and characterization that really is in the movie, but you don't see. It's okay. I, personally don't "get" opera. To me, that's boring but I do recognize that that's me. I am not perceiving something that opera fans do perceive and that's the way it goes. It's also like those 3-D pictures that require you to focus your eyes a certain way to see the hidden image, I've never been able to see the hidden image, yet that does not mean the image isn't there. I have similar troubles explaining to some people why I love baseball. It's the same kind of thing. Many people see a ploddingly dull sport and I feel its the greatest sport there is. 2001 is one of those enigmatic items that many people will get a lot out of, yet many won't get it at all.
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie - lousy mastering job
Review: This disc is not worth owning because of the poor image digitalization. The images are fuzzy and full of little flickering artifacts that make the movie unmatchable on any large screen TV. Don't buy it! I loved 2001 as a kid... I love 2001 as a movie now... but I hate this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: I Envy Anyone Who Has Not Seen This Film Yet.
Review: Why? If you have not seen 2001: A Space Odyssey yet, you will be dumbfounded, you will be perplexed, you will be challenged in ways that a film is supposed to challenge you, and more importantly, you will get to see, possibly, the greatest film ever made. Not just the greatest science fiction film, but the GREATEST film ever. Of course, the plot requires patience because literally nothing is explained to you as it happens. You will have a blast trying to answer all of the philosophical questions that the film offers, and 30 years after its initial release, it has not lost a bit of its luster. See it on the biggest screen you can afford, and be blown away.
Rating:
Summary: This is a pre-recorded briefing...
Review: Now that you are on amazon.com and the crew in your household is out of hypersleep, I will now be able to tell you why you should purchase "2001: A Space Odyssey" on DVD: 1. It is one of the most artistic films ever made. Beautifully crafted with amazing sets, props, and models. An amazing journey that doesn't let bad special effects or terrible acting get in the way. 2. An amazing soundtrack. Did you know that director Stanley Kubrick already had a musical score ready for the film? He was listening to classical music while he was doing the editing. It seemed to fit so well into the film, he used it. A very good idea. 3. The first time you see this film, yes, you will be confused. My advice is to see the film once. Then, read the book. You can purchase it here or you can check it out of your local public library. The book will explain some of the more complicated aspects of this film, but, I have to admit, I'm still a little mind-boggled. Bottom line is that this film is a must-have for sci-fi or Stanley Kubrick fans, but if you're not either of them, at least read some more of these reviews to see if you would like it. I sure did!
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL,WONDERFUL,WONDERFUL!
Review: This is one of the finest films I've ever seen! When I first saw it I thought "Wow, ant that one is from 1968! ". The special effects are PERFECT, even for nowadays. The story is amzing! I've got no words to describe it! Just watch and experience!
Rating:
Summary: One of The Best
Review: This is hands down THE best science fiction film of all-time, and in my opinion, one of the greatest films of all-time period. The screenplay by Kubrick and Clarke is so imaginative that it can be accepted as nothing less than pure genius. And the F/X! Man, the effects in this film wouldn't seem out of place in today's days of high-tech computer renderings. Many have commented how close the moon scenes in this movie were to the actual landing in 1969. Oh, and as for the plot... there isn't one. Yes, that's right, this is a movie that forces you to THINK. Imagine that, it puts forth the questions, and you must provide the answers. There are such big debates about this film's meaning, and you really just have to ask "why?". It has no true meaning, it means what you want it to mean. Why do you think that Kubrick has always refused to explain it? That said, I will give one word of warning: READ THE BOOK FIRST. If you do not then you will in all likelihood be totally confused by it, and you may very well hate it.
Rating:
Summary: A classic and a monument to the visual potential of film!
Review: "2001: A Space Odyssey" may very well be the best science fiction film ever. Near the beginning, the movie has one of the most memorable scenes in film history: the enlightening insight of an early ape-like man who discovers the tool. A couple of scenes later we see early man find the tool's more destructive potential as a weapon. A simple but true statement on humanity's condition. But it doesn't end there, the movie continues to emphasize humanity's outward reaching mind. A multi-million year flash forward takes us from early man to space - another frontier built upon insight and imagination. In space we get the beautiful "Fantasia"-like musical sequence that stands as one of my favorite scenes of any movie, simultaneously showing the beauty and peacefulness of space and the triumph and ingenuity of mankind. From there we get a good science fiction story that continues to hint at the loftiness in the beginning of the movie while providing a connection to the audience. Though the stargate sequence dates itself as being a product of the 60s, the ending, even as incomprehensible as it is, further emphasizes the outward reaching of humanity. "2001", with the brilliant direction of Stanley Kubrick, does not rush mindlessy along like many of today's movies. Instead, by keeping a slow pace and by having minimal dialogue, the movie provides a mystical atmosphere to support its theme. Even the most mundane scenes (like an astronaut doing exercise) are directed with such masterly skill. The special effects look great even today. Plus, the film contains hard science - it is the only outer space movie I have seen that does not show sound in space. Truly a visual masterpiece and an intelligent, thoughtful piece of science fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Still wondrous after all these years!
Review: After more that 31 years, this movie remains a classic...a true tour-de-force of the science fiction genre. Light years ahead of its time, it still amazes me each time I view it. When viewed in the context of the state of film technology in 1968, this movie is jaw-dropping. '2001' deserves its place in the pantheon of American film clasics. DVD extras include a 1968 Q&A speech by Arthur C. Clarke
Rating:
Summary: Stanley Kubrick's Masterpiece
Review: Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke really took science fiction to a new level with this movie.From "The Dawn of Man" where the Monolith gives mankind the knowledge of using tools , to space stations that seem to sing in space in the background of classical music( the work composed by Richard Strauss and conducted by a present day orchestra), to the starship Discovery and the mysterious computer HAL, and finally to Dave Bowman's encounter with a Monolith in orbit around Jupiter. The film ranks as a masterpiece in both film making and science fiction. Directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick.Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke.
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