Dave, Will I Dream?
Among Stanley Kubrick’s diverse body of work, you will find this odd, slow-moving science fiction drama. It finds its roots at the beginning of time, and slowly unfolds to reveal man’s ultimate destiny: floating babies in space.
I don’t get it either. Almost no one does, and the critical response at the time of its release was mediocre. Today, however, it is considered to be a classic, and references to it in popular culture run rampant. “I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
HAL 9000, the infamous computer who sniffs out treachery in the ranks and attempts to stamp it out, has become a household name. His cool tenor remains completely emotionless - the perfect machine, even as he “dies.” He is one of the most interesting elements of the film - intelligent, yet vulnerable, HAL is the ultimate example of how too much loyalty can go horribly wrong. Programmed to see his mission through, no matter what, HAL lacks the judgment to assess the situation for himself. He is the perfect soldier, but even he has a weakness.
2001: A Space Odyssey doesn’t focus on any particular theme for very long. Although the “Man vs. Machine” subplot is often singled out, the story is much broader than that, covering all sorts of human realities without attempting to explain them. The screenplay was written collaboratively by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke; Clarke published a novel, much less popular than the film, which explains many of the mysterious elements of the story in greater detail.
But the film needs no explanation. There is a humming monolith, and a giant fetus in space. Deal with it. Kubrick is stretching our imaginations, asking us to go where no man has gone before and not ask questions about it. The more we question our own existences, the less we accomplish in the world. We’re here for a reason - humming monolith or not, we should live our lives like they matter.
But in the meantime, try out some 2001: A Space Odyssey movie trivia. Your destiny can wait.
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