 |
| Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester,
Douglas Rain (v/o) |
|
 |
Anamorphic
widescreen |
|
Dolby Digital
5.1 |
 |
DTS |
|
|
Trailer(s) |
|
Featurette(s) |
|
Documentary |
|
Audio commentary
|
|
Deleted scenes
|
|
Concept art
/ storyboards |
|
Multi-angle
feature |
|
|
|
|
Dave
Bowman (Keir Dullea): Hello, HAL do you read me, HAL?
HAL (Douglas Rain): Affirmative, Dave, I read you.
Dave Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
HAL: I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.
Dave Bowman: What's the problem?
HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.
A
manned space mission is sent to Jupiter after an alien probe is discovered
to be broadcasting from the Moon.
 Having
reached the year that this movie made us all look forward to with great
anticipation for the past thirty-three years, we may not have knowingly
entered into contact with alien intelligence that will help humanity
make the next step towards a higher consciousness. But Kubrick's provocative,
enigmatic and highly influential 'space trip' remains one of the most
talked-about films to this day. Its detractors claim it's pretentious,
uneven and answers none of the questions it raises. Its proponents praise
its magnificent visuals, controversial central hypothesis and don't
think anyone could successfully answer the questions it raises.
Ultimately, I would guess that anyone willing to abandon genre expectations
and immerse him- or herself in a metaphysical exploration that includes
subjects like the power (and dangers) of technology and the origins
and destination of mankind will be richly rewarded by watching and rewatching
this timeless epic. Those who know little more than the fact that this
is 'a great science-fiction movie' are likely to be disappointed, as
there aren't any big explosions, gunfights or even conventional leading
characters to be found here. Love it or loathe it, it's a cinematic
experience unlike any other and is sure to provoke any reaction but
indifference. |
|
 |
 |
|
|
 A
non-anamorphic edition has been available in Region 1 both separately
and as part of the first Stanley Kubrick Collection. This release has
been replaced by a new DVD release taken from the fully restored theatrical
release that has been shown here and there in the year 2001. The restored
edition was first made available in Region 2 as a Limited Edition box
set that includes the soundtrack CD, a collector's booklet and a 70mm
frame reproduction. This same set was also available for a limited time
in Region 1, but rapidly sold out all over the world.
A 'regular' DVD release (without the collector's box and CD soundtrack)
was released in Region 1 simultaneously with the Limited Edition set
and is now also available in Region 2 as part of the Stanley
Kubrick Collection.
The
anamorphic widescreen image is framed at an aspect ratio of approx.
2.2:1. Drawn from the fully restored Super Panavision 70mm print, this
new transfer is guaranteed to take your breath away. There is hardly
a scratch, blemish or hint of grain to be found in a print that does
full justice to the film's marvelous visuals and rich colors. The careful
transfer doesn't introduce any compression artifacts and yields deep
blacks and marvelously bright and richly detailed colors.
The movie's soundtrack has been remastered and restored to an impressive
Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. The unforgettable title sequence is now finally
presented as overwhelmingly as it was always meant to be. The music
in some cases has slightly limited fidelity, but it has been spread
across the full width and depth of the soundstage with precision and
care, making this DVD the audiovisual experience this film was meant
to be.
The
single major disappointment of this restored release of 2001: A Space
Odyssey is its complete lack of extras. Even the Arthur C. Clarke
interview footage that was included on the first R1 DVD is no longer
available, leaving only the nicely restored theatrical trailer
as extra material on the disc. The deluxe box set with collector's booklet,
70mm film frame reproduction and soundtrack CD may represent an effort
on the part of Warner to spruce the release up with some added value
material, but most fans of the movie would have preferred to see a second
disc full of extras, especially at this hefty pricetag. The
static menu screen has a design similar to that of the earlier R1 release,
but without the animation or sound effects.
Dan Hassler-Forest
Reviewed: 2001
Click
here for IMDB info on 2001:
A Space Odyssey.
Click here
to return to the front page.
|
|
| |
