2001: A Space Odyssey
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Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" is known as one of the greatest science fiction movies ever created for the big screen. It is a journey that takes us through three different stages of the existence of man. From his humble, primitive beginnings, to the peak of his evolution, and to the final stages before death. Kubrick delievers a powerful look at the existence of life and the next stage of evolution.
Contents |
Characters
- Keir Dullea as Dr. Dave Bowman - Mission Commander of the spaceship Discovery. He is leading the expedition to Jupiter.
- Gary Lockwood as Dr. Frank Poole - Astronaut-executive officer of the spaceship Discovery.
- William Sylvester as Dr. Heywood R. Floyd - Scientific Administrator and Earth's Chairman of the National Council of Astronautics. Sent to inspect the discoery of the monolith on the moon.
- Daniel Richter as Moonwatcher - Leader of a fierce group of apes who fight for a watering hole.
- Leonard Rossiter as Dr. Andrei Smyslov - Soviet scientist on his way back after calibrating the new Russian antenna on the moon. First person to inform Dr. Floyd of the "odd things" happening on the moon.
- Margaret Tyzack as Elena - Soviet scientist on her way back after calibrating the new Russian antenna on the moon.
- Douglas Rain (voice) as HAL 9000 - Super computer and the central intelligence system of the spaceship Discovery. HAL can be described in a single word – perfection.
Themes, Symbols, Motifs
- A.I
- Existence of other life
- Evolution
- Religious Beliefs
- Homer's The Odyssey
Discussion Questions
1) What is the significance of the ape sequences?
2) Did Hal know what he was doing or did he act based only on "human" input?
3) Was Hal the "bad guy"?
4) What are the monolith's role within the movie (with apes, burried on the moon, Jupiter)?
5) Why did Kubrick decide to use classical music during transitions throughout the movie?
6) Why was there so much silence incoporated into the movie?
7) What is the purpose of the final act in the movie?
Related Links
WikiPedia Entry of 2001: A Space Odyssey
