Friday, October 5, 2012

From Beginning to End

Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey can seem to be an extremely boring movie today. But back in the 70s it was tremendously progressive and exciting.

Since the beginning of time, man has been fascinated with the stars and sky. In our time, this fascination has lead to many great movies. Among the many science fiction movies, Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey stands out as the pinnacle of the genre. This movie covered various themes which include, but are not limited to: space, evolution, technology, religion, artificial intelligence, death, knowledge, resurrection, and violence. This film is loosely based on Arthur Clarkes short story, The Sentinel. The objective of this paper is to explain the differences and similarities between 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Sentinel, the use of technology and its forms, and to present my interpretation of 2001s finale, Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite.

There are several similarities and differences between 2001: A Spa ce Odyssey and The Sentinel. The first major similarity is the monolith and crystal pyramid. The origins of the two objects are both unknown, but their purpose is exactly identical: the monolith and pyramid act as sentinels, which warn their creators that man has achieved space travel. Another similarity was that both Clarke and Kubrick implied that man were merely infants. The narrator in The Sentinel referred to the earth as our cradle, (241) while in 2001, the main character eats his food through a straw much like an infant does baby food. In outer space, man has left his crib and now, because of gravity, has to re-learn how to walk. This is similar to when a toddler took its first steps. I believe that both Kubrick and Clarke wanted to state that humans were new to space and have much to learn.

Technology is the most important theme of 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is incorporated throughout the film in several different forms. The first form that was shown in 2001 was technology in the shape of bones. The early inhabitants of the earth used bones as weapons and tools. Bones were used mainly to kill whether it was for food or for protection. The first monolith in the film provided the early primates with insight and intelligence on the use of bones and signaled the arrival of technology. At the end of the movies first segment, a primate throws a bone into the air and then it transforms into a spaceship. It is implied that not only did early humans evolve, but technology as well. The monolith fueled progress, from primitive tools to spaceships and supercomputers. At one point in 2001, technology almost surpassed its creators. The HAL9000 supercomputer was introduced in the 3rd segment of Kubricks masterpiece. It was the ultimate tool of technology, a computer that could calculate, learn, and make decisions based upon its own judgments. If modern mans tools advanced further, mankind would be taken over and replaced. This was the point where man met his match - the instant where the evolution of technology had to cease. Stanley Kubrick used many different elements and techniques to make 2001: A Space Odyssey into a remarkable motion picture. In a 1969 interview he says, And I think in a film like 2001, where each viewer brings his own emotions and perceptions to bear on the subject matter, a certain degree of ambiguity is valuable, because it allows the audience to fill in the visual experience themselves. Kubrick left his movie open to personal interpretation and this, aside from all the special effects, is the most effective strategy that he utilized. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, Stanley Kubrick broke all the rules and standards of cinema. This film will live on forever as the epitome of science fiction movies.

The article was produced by the writer of masterpapers.com. Sharon White is a senior writer and Writers consultant at term papers. Get some useful tips for thesis Writing and term paper Writing .


Author:: Sharon White
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