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2001: A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray] | ![2001: A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jYA7Mv32L._SL160_.jpg)
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| Actors: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, Ed Bishop, Penny Brahms, Edwina Carroll
Studio: Warner Home Video
List Price: $28.99
Buy New: $8.54
You Save: $20.45 (71%)
New (45) Used (25) from $6.81
Rating:  1049 reviews
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Original Recording Remastered, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: Blu-ray
Region: 0
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1
Running Time: 141 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 5.3 x 0.5
MPN: 012569798380
UPC: 012569798380
EAN: 0012569798380
Theatrical Release Date: 1968
Release Date: October 23, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
When a monolith is found on the moon, astronauts equipped with a superintelligent computer attempt to find its origins.
Amazon.com
When Stanley Kubrick recruited Arthur C. Clarke to collaborate on "the proverbial intelligent science fiction film," it's a safe bet neither the maverick auteur nor the great science fiction writer knew they would virtually redefine the parameters of the cinema experience. A daring experiment in unconventional narrative inspired by Clarke's short story "The Sentinel," 2001 is a visual tone poem (barely 40 minutes of dialogue in a 139-minute film) that charts a phenomenal history of human evolution. From the dawn-of-man discovery of crude but deadly tools in the film's opening sequence to the journey of the spaceship Discovery and metaphysical birth of the "star child" at film's end, Kubrick's vision is meticulous and precise. In keeping with the director's underlying theme of dehumanization by technology, the notorious, seemingly omniscient computer HAL 9000 has more warmth and personality than the human astronauts it supposedly is serving. (The director also leaves the meaning of the black, rectangular alien monoliths open for discussion.) This theme, in part, is what makes 2001 a film like no other, though dated now that its postmillennial space exploration has proven optimistic compared to reality. Still, the film is timelessly provocative in its pioneering exploration of inner- and outer-space consciousness. With spectacular, painstakingly authentic special effects that have stood the test of time, Kubrick's film is nothing less than a cinematic milestone--puzzling, provocative, and perfect. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1044 more reviews...
 At least 40 years ahead of its Time! September 5, 2010
M. D. MCGINLEY (United States)
Without a doubt, 2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the greatest films ever made. Kubrick's masterful style is further encapsulated in the genius idea that saying less with more is better. The opening sequences, the backdrops of space with Strauss' Blue Danube, the lack of innocuous conversations means that every word tells. I can imagine the breath being literally sucked out of the audience when this movie was first released, as in 1968 nothing even came close to the realistic depiction of the quiet, vastness of space. This movie was released one year before the Apollo moon landings, and I wonder if some of the people working at NASA derived ideas for the lunar lander based on the beautiful space sequences in this work of art. No one ever saw the earth from so high above so clearly on the movie screen, except perhaps for the astronauts on NASA's space missions who were really there. 2001 gave us the chance to see what until then was nearly impossible to imagine and to have subsequently been depicted with such breathtaking beauty, depth and imagination.
I have no doubt that George Lucas was among the young audience then, and took the whole idea of living (and fighting) in space based on what he saw in this movie. I noticed many similarities with the overhead shots of docking bays, lighting, star fields, moons and planets too common between 2001 and Star Wars to be a coincidence. That is the overwhelming and lasting impact this film has had on creative minds and intelligent appreciation for the art and science of quality, inimitable film making. How many space movies after 2001 were influenced by the sheer genius of Mr. Kubrick's and Mr. Clarke's work revealed in this awesome film! A little less I talk, I little more I watch and learn.
Great September 1, 2010
Cosmoetica (New York, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
the very reasons 2001 succeeds as a great film is not because it simply awes us, although moments do, but because, like all great films, it touches us, and deeply, in ways that many viewers are not even aware of, and none that require genius. The film succeeds in myriad little moments that all can relate to. I mentioned Dr. Floyd's banter with colleagues on the way to the monolith site, but there is the ecstatic `first violence' in the murder of the rival man-ape early on. This is a vivid redo of the Cain and Abel myth, and how many of us wish we were so excited that we could toss an object into the air like the murderous man-ape does his bone weapon? Then there is Floyd with his daughter on the space videophone, and a circumspect Floyd being confronted by the smiling Russians. There is the scene where Poole gets a video birthday wish from his parents, and acts ho-hum about it. There is the scene where Bowman must release the recaptured corpse of his friend to outer space to save himself and the mission, and the very fact that, despite being on the mission for his cool demeanor, Bowman hurriedly forgets his space helmet to retrieve the body in the first place shows a deep connection between emotion and action that a didactic spoken resolution could never achieve. There are other moments, as well, but it is in these moments, often dismissed as banalities, that the film actually pulls the viewer into the tale. That so many critics miss these rather obvious connections shows just how attuned to lowest common denominator action, violence, and bluntly obvious things, most filmgoers are. Yet, it's the parallax of this lack against the grandness of the other parts of the film that pulls the mind like taffy between the antipodes. And it is this stretching wherein the film's greatness lies.
Another point that goes unnoticed is how and why, if HAL is so `insane,' the computer simply does not turn off all oxygen and heat inside the spaceship when the two waking astronauts sleep? Perhaps one of them needed to be awake while the other slept and would have simply unplugged HAL, but it does seem that HAL's flaws in programming, the ones that make him more `human,' also make him a flawed antagonist. And this is yet another aspect of the film, lost in all the talk of its grandeur, and superlatives, that is lost on most viewers and critics, yet part of the doll within doll within doll like nature of the film that buoys its claim to all time great status. There's simply no doubt, after watching this film, that both it and its creator deserve the label great. Unfortunately, too few, these days, even attempt such, whether Kubrickian or not.
 What's the fuss? August 15, 2010
JAK (north carolina)
0 out of 8 found this review helpful
I remember a visit to the National Museum in Washington when I saw several people standing in front of a blue canvas debating it's meaning. Of course the conceit of modern "art" is if you don't get it you're somehow retarded. I'm no scientist, but I did earn a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a 3.3 GPA and a focus on Liberal Arts. As far as 2001 goes, there are few interesting ideas, that unfotunately are stretched to the limit, and it is technially proficient, but honestly I have considerable concern for the particular type of audience that views this as some sort of masterpiece. Have they ever kissed a girl? It may come as a surprise that this film was almost universally panned on its initial release, which was of course spot on, until drug addicts started to see it in droves while high. It' not quite much ado about nothing, but it's pretty close.
ahead of it's time. but does not age well for a new generation August 14, 2010
Tristan Lopez (Calgary, AB Canada)
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
Just watched this movie. Have been interested in watching all the Kubrick films since he is hailed as a top director of his time. Anyways... 2001 a space odyssey is fairly interesting. being a movie that i guess came out in 1968 I can see this being an epic mindblow of proportions. it has great scenes, soundtrack, ideas and visuals. so i can understand all the praise the movie has. but really if this movie had come out in today's age 2010 i don't know. think it would have been a love it or hate it movie that would fade away into obscurity. personally i dont' know... it's decent but nothing i would praise or watch again. i do and can understand people that watched this in it's origninal release still seeing it as great for what it is and i can understand that. anyways... epic for 60's. ok for 2010. the visuals playing orchestrated music did nothing for me. seemed like more of a way to make the movie longer and kill time
Slow moving, but beautiful on blu... Kubrick's best film. August 11, 2010
mike (Peshtigo, WI)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
'2001' has to be one of the best transfers that I've seen yet on blu-ray. It was one of the first I picked up because of the ten dollar price tag and the good ratings, I figured I didn't have anything to lose. I am impressed with the image quality. It beats out the transfer to blu from Donnie Darko (and countless other newer films.) At any rate, this is a film to sit all the way through, its definitely a mind bender. Enjoy the cinematography and draw your own conclusions (you sort of don't have a choice) with this trippy classic.
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