When Stanley Kubrick's eighth feature film, "2001: A Space Odyssey" made it's world premiere on April 2, 1968 in Washington, D.C., it was greeted with polarized critical reactions. A few critics praised the film for it's mesmerizing innovation and compelling storytelling. A few others (including Pauline Kael) found it to be too obscure and pretentious. While the old guard was indifferent to Kubrick's progressive creation, it was the younger generation that responded to the film's offbeat rhythms and enigmatic narrative.
Before "2001" went on it's roadshow engagement across the country, Kubrick cut about nineteen minutes from the original one hundred and sixty-one minute running time to help streamline elements of the film. It went on find a broad audience and became a box-office hit. And time has helped form an even greater appreciation for what Kubrick has accomplished with "2001: A Space Odyssey" which is now universally considered to be one of the most influential movies ever made.
Inspired by the 1951 short story, "The Sentinel" by Arthur C. Clarke, Kubrick teamed with the writer to co-write the screenplay. Together, they inventively expanded on the themes of existentialism, technology, evolution and artificial intelligence which are depicted in ways that have become scientifically accurate.
One key move that Kubrick did was remove the planned voice-over narration during editing that would have helped guide viewers through the shifts in time and space. He had always expressed that he never intended to offer clear or straightforward meaning of "2001", preferring to allow the audience to find their own interpretation of the film.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of "2001", a new mastered 70MM print was made from the original camera negative and was supervised by director, Christopher Nolan who had recently made the 2017 Oscar-nominated WWII drama, "Dunkirk" in this format. The world premiere of this print was held during the Cannes Film Festival on May 12th before it starts a theatrical run in select U.S. theaters beginning on May 18th.
I have certainly seen the great "2001" but never on the big screen. So I'm looking forward to catching this at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in LA which was made to screen the 70mm format. And to offer more insight in to this classic, Vulture takes an in-depth look on how "2001: A Space Odyssey" over the last fifty years has gone on to influence pop culture from everything to sci-fi films, visual effects and soundtracks.
Click below to read:
How "2001: A Space Odyssey" has Influenced Pop Culture
No comments:
Post a Comment