| 2001 - A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray] | ![2001 - A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jYA7Mv32L._SL500_.jpg)
| Actors: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, Ed Bishop, Penny Brahms, Edwina Carroll
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $28.99
Buy New: $18.95
You Save: $10.04 (35%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $18.75
Avg. Customer Rating:   (892 reviews)
Sales Rank: 538
Format: Ac-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Original Recording Remastered, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Korean (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: G (General Audience)
Media: Blu-ray
Running Time: 148 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 5.3 x 0.5
MPN: 79838
UPC: 012569798380
EAN: 0012569798380
ASIN: B000Q66J1M
Release Date: October 23, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: April 6, 1968
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
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
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
Description
A space mission that could reveal man?s destiny is jeopardized by a malfunctioning shipboard computer. A dazzling journey that tops them all ? and showed the way for other effects-packed films that followed.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 887 more reviews...
 Stunning eye-candy. Boring...boring movie. July 2, 2008
Proof positive that great visuals do not make up for an overlong art piece that pretends to be a major movie release. Heavy-handed yet vague to the point of nausea. I hated this movie. It was long, boring, and outside of an art gallery has no business being lauded as a "masterpiece". The effects and film technique were stunning, but the movie as a whole (aside from the tech) was utter junk. As for the assertion that those of us who hate this film are "adolescent"? I am 28 and have loved film of all kinds my whole life and still hate it. My 50+ year old mother saw it in theaters when it released and hated it. I have not met one person, who watched it as something other than a study piece, who liked it. I may not have a doctorate but I know movies, and I hated this one. If you enjoyed it then God bless you. Just don't expect everyone to "get it".
 A stunning and timeless masterpiece July 1, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
When I was younger, no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get into 2001: A Space Odyssey. I found it unbelievably boring, could make no sense of it, and frankly, could barely make it halfway through the film. It wasn't until sometime later, after I had grown an appreciation for meaningful films (particularly Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange among others), that I decided to give 2001 another chance. And I was ever so thankful I did. Forty years later, 2001 remains a bold and poetic science fiction opus that paints a picture of the relationship between man and the universe, a visual poem that begs the question of who we are and where are we going. The film's prime narrative, namely the struggle between two astronauts (Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood) and the malfunctioning supercomputer HAL 9000, only serves as a relatively minor plot point in the grand scheme of Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke's story, and remains possibly the best depiction of a struggle of man and machine to ever be filmed. Films like 2001 simply aren't made anymore, an idea made all the more true thanks to the fact that the film has stood the test of time four decades later, and remains a stunning, powerful, and haunting achievement. This Two-Disc Special Edition offers the film in a brilliant transfer (even for a standard definition release), and worthwhile extras that detail the journey that Kubrick and Clarke underwent for the film to be conceived. Yes, 2001 is a film that requires patience when viewing, particularly in these modern times of huge explosions, digital effects, and shallow plots; but make no mistake that it is a science fiction opus for the ages, and will remain a classic until the end of time itself.
HD refrence disc June 30, 2008
The only reason I did not give this a five star review is because I am not a huge fan of the movie. I must say, though, if you want something to show off your HD set, and to show just how good a 40 year old movie can look, this is it. The movie looks like it could have been shot yesterday using HD cameras. No film grain, colors are vibrant, blacks are true, edges are sharp and well defined, and background details really pop out of the screen. The sound is excellent for a film of this age, and will not disappoint. The sound field is rich, using all channels. Its not agressive surround, but it does make you feel immersed. The subwoofer channel is quite aggressive in some areas - really impressive for a movie this age.
This disc is a must have for any HD enthusiast.
STUNNING BLU RAY IS A MUST HAVE June 16, 2008
A post modern cultural phenomenon. 2001 is a genre defining, trailblazing classic that changed cinema and influenced an entire generation of great filmmakers including Lucas & Spielberg. And this brilliant Blu-Ray transfer will turn you into a HD philistine. A magnificent presentation of one of cinemas all time great movies.
Eye-popping transfer of 2001... June 9, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
2001: A Space Odyssey needs no introduction, and it certainly doesn't need a review from me. So I won't waste my time and yours by reviewing the movie itself, but will focus on the blu-ray itself. For my money, it's the best sci-fi movie ever made, and I'll leave it at that.
Simply put, the picture quality here is stunning. I have never seen a 40-year-old movie look so good, and I'll be surprised if I ever do again. The enormous landscapes during the Dawn of Man segment look like something out of Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]. The blinking lights and signs on the Discovery are so clear you'll swear you're looking at them directly, not on a screen (and certainly not on 40-year-old film stock!). In case it isn't already clear, I was completely blown away by how good this movie looks.
Now, the movie is enough to sell this disc by itself, but it's also pretty loaded with special features. I haven't made it through them all yet, but they seem to be comprised of equal parts quality information and 2001/Kubrick worship (not that it isn't deserved...). I'm glad to know how they did some of the special effects, but who cares if Spielberg and George Lucas say that Kubrick was a genius?
For under $20, this is one of the best blu-ray deals out there, and is simply a no-brainer.
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