2001: a science fiction odyessy

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2001: A Science Fiction Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey could easily be considered a science-fiction film, because

its setting is in space. Any film that takes place in space is generally considered to be a

science-fiction film. Many films considered to be science-fiction films are likely to have

technology that we do not yet have on earth. In 2001, it would be HAL, the computer

that controls the ship to Jupiter. I think that this is definitely a science-fiction film while

there are aspects of the film that are science-fiction, there are others that are not attributes

of science-fiction.

One of the most obvious pointers to viewers that 2001 is a science-fiction film

would be the setting of the film. Anytime there is a film in space it gets lumped with

other films into the science-fiction genre. Examples are Star Wars, Aliens, Space Balls,

and The Last Star Fighter. These could be divided into different sub-genres, such as

action/adventure, documentary-drama, the mad scientist film, and underwater science-

fiction. 2001: A Space Odyssey could fall under several sub-genres of science-fiction,

perhaps drama, thriller, mystery, or even epic. Not only is this a science-fiction film but

a movie that borrows themes and ideas previously used , a trait that Stanley Kubrik,

director of 2001, is known for.

HAL reminds me ofFrankenstein. Scientists build the perfect machine, the

machine develops a conscience, and kills. Dr. Frankenstein brings a human back to life

with borrowed parts. Frankenstein goes haywire and kills people. The nearby town goes

and kills Frankenstein. HAL is not killed but shut down.

Another idea found in such movies is the search or quest. Architypical as it is,

this dates back to Beowulf, our curiosity as humans makes us want to know what is going

on. The first monolith seems to be the beginnings of man's creative thinking process

which evolves into our society. The second monolith leads man to a new direction for


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evolution. The third monolith is man's rebirth. Somewhere in the evolution of man,

according to the aliens that placed monoliths at the dawn of man, something went wrong.

Our society did not function as it was supposed to and the aliens started anew. Other

films with this search aspect would be Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and more recently

While You Were Sleeping.

I think that 2001: A Space Odyssey is trying to show us that our violent nature is

not progressing in a way that would benefit mankind as a whole. We began violent, as

shown in the dawn of man sequence in the beginning of the film. However Kubrik does

not dwell on violence during the whole film. He shows us that we do not trust each other

and HAL does not trust humans, which is why he kills the other members of the crew.

Kubrik also shows us that our society is not very trustworthy in general, when we see the

man on his way to the moon not discuss certain things with his colleagues because they

are from another country. I think that the creatures in charge of the monoliths did not like

the way that was handled and made plans for the rebirth of humanity.

There are some ways that 2001: A Space Odyssey does not fit within the science-

fiction genre. Most science-fiction films have some sort of high speed action, war, or

acting that will illicit quick editing by the editor. The Star Wars Trilogy contains many

action scenes with ships and hand to hand combat This does not make the movie any

weaker, but helps to move the plot. In 2001, there are two scenes that could be

considered action oriented. One would have to be where Dave leaves the ship to retrieve

a crew member. The other would be the trip that Dave goes on, on the path to being

reborn. True science-fiction film buffs would have a problem with the lack of action in

the film. Star Trekmovies have plenty of action while still leaving room for a creative

plot.

Another anti-science-fiction aspect of 2001 is the lack of dialogue. The words in

the film are not too important in comparison tothe visuals. Viewers really need to pay

attention to what Kubrik shows us, not to the words. Films like Star Wars, Star Trek, and


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Jurassic Parkare films where dialogue is as important as what is seen. Kubrik uses

dialogue in a way that is not unlike the silent movies of the early part of the century. A

classic science-fiction movie that does not use dialogue would beMetropolis, directed by

Fritz Lang in 1926. Lang uses inter-titles sparingly, so that we think about what he

shows us. Making visual films is an art and Kubrik did an excellent job of using little

dialogue and much screen artistry.

2001: A Space Odyssey is without a doubt a science-fiction film that was

painstakingly done like no other film has since. I like the fact that Kubrik could take so

long to make a movie of this caliber. If this film were to be released today the special

effects would not need to be changed, just the year 2001 along with the furniture and

clothing. Besides these minute details Kubrik made an epic science-fiction film. We see

human society for what it is and Kubrik plays on our fear of computers as well. On the

television show "Sightings," Sunday May 7, 1995, the lead story was about the future of

computers and how experiments are being conducted, mixing living tissue and computer

parts together. The segment also revealed people's ideas that, in the future, we may have

to fight computers for our own existence. The irony within is that, in the introduction to

the show, the host, mentioned HAL. Perhaps 2001: A Space Odyssey will not be

science-fiction much longer.

2001: a science fiction odyessy

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