Review of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) by Bradysmith — 08 Nov 2015

I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but 2001 is probably the most overrated movie of all time. Sure, the effects are serviceable in 2015, the camerawork is stunning, and there are a few moments of transcendent beauty, but that amounts to like 15 good minutes total if I'm being generous.

The rest of the movie is a meticulously constructed boredom. There were times when I wanted to scream with boredom. Kubrick seems to think holding shots on absolutely nothing interesting happening makes him a master, and apparently everyone else thinks this too, but it doesn't.

I had moral objections to a clockwork orange and the second half was pretty slow, but overall that was a movie that could entertain, shock and fascinate. I also thought The Shining was one of the creepiest movies ever made.

But this? As artful and visionary as it occasionally is, I could barely stand to finish it. I know I'm in the minority, but I have to call out pretension when I see it. Interstellar may have taken much inspiration from this movie, but that one was awe inspiring, heartbreaking and exciting.

Gravity was also 1000 times more engaging than this while still containing moments of jaw dropping beauty. I love atmosphere and when a film is drenched in it I encourage slow pacing, but 2001 only has glimpses of atmosphere.

2001 may not be the worst movie ever, but it's one of the most boring.