Review of 2010 (1984) by Yve S — 17 Aug 2008

Most people remember the first time they saw 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. Some liken it to a religious experience. And it is without a doubt one of the most influential and greatest science fiction movie ever made. Most people don't realize that there are three other books. Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clark co-wrote 2001, but Clark went on to write three other novels: 2010: Odyssey Two, 2061: Odyssey Three, and 3001: The Final Odyssey. 2010: THE YEAR WE MAKE CONTACT is an adaptation of his second book.

This film is NOT the same as the first. Nor is it a cheep ripoff. While many fans are divided, some hating the second movie (likely due to a deep admiration for Stanley Kubrick's vision and this movie is certainly not modeled after his directorial tastes), I find this film to be a worthy sequel. It is important to not judge 2010 based solely on 2001, as fans will likely be disappointed, but instead to view it as a continuation of where the first left off.

2001 is an art film, more trippy than Woodstock and with less dialogue than a sign-language convention. 2010 is the exact opposite. Instead of one or two characters, we're introduced to about 10 who are onscreen the majority of the time. While the theme of 2001 was isolation, 2010's is about immersion. 2010 takes themes from its day about politics and the cold war (namely the blockades and space race) and turns the film somewhat into a political statement. But the overwhelming message here is a common humanity and wonder existing within us all. 2010 is a tense film, with the danger of the monolith, the knowledge that the last mission was an utter failure and a mystery, and the political implications between the Soviet Union and the US. But the film becomes more than just a policy statement about the world we live in. It shows wonder, and awe at how small we are and how much we depend on each other. It gives the viewer the knowledge that on some emotional level, we are all connected.

2010 is a great film. Some fans of 2001 will tell you it is crap and no good, but don't listen to them. 2010 is a recycled message in a world tired of hearing it, but it tugs at the very soul. It is a worthy successor to 2001, and even though it's a little different, is that so much a bad thing these days?