Stanley Kubrick`s 2001 : A Space Odyssey (1968) is a confusing epic , teasing with the viewers mind and confusing them with a ridiculous labyrinth of a plot.Despite the insane plot line and even further bizarre imagery , once the single plot line comes into play the film becomes engaging with a slightly haunting villain ,HAL, which makes the viewer think. What if technology one day advances so far to gain human emotion? What will happen if this technology goes wrong? Will it be capable of mass murder? Overall this is an extremely thought provoking epic where stage design begins to take a step forward in the sense of futurism and where this step forward influences TV shows and films at a later date.
Although this film may be an adventure epic it seems more of an artistic creation where instead of going all out with the plot line and making the characters believable . This film was all about atmosphere and all in the simplest way possible."He reduces each scene to its essence, and leaves it on screen long enough for us to contemplate it, to inhabit it in our imaginations." Roger Ebert , Great Movie : 2001 : A Space Odyssey (1997). Ebert proves the point that this film is entirely about thought , the scenes do not make sense and seem like a collage,however, when digging beneath the outside then this film questions reality and the evolution of mankind. Making it seem alien ,confusing and insane ,but, doing so with minimal speech , hardly any plot and grand dramatic soundtracks.
2001 was one of the earliest films to use the soundtrack to an advantage , using the force of music to emphasize such a simple plot and create a grand scale of atmosphere. Commonly used today , soundtracks are used to create a sense of sadness or epicness in a film or video game . To connect the audience to the film and feel what the characters are feeling. Despite not going this far with not caring much for the characters , the soundtrack at the beginning made a simple scene with monkeys at the beginning of evolution seem magnificently powerful , as if they were godly and as if this was a breaking point in humanity. "The classical music chosen by Kubrick exists outside the action. It uplifts. It wants to be sublime; it brings a seriousness and transcendence to the visuals." Roger Ebert , Great Movie : 2001 : A Space Odyssey (1997). That being said , once reading several reviews there is a point of psychological background behind the music where the soundtrack also represents mans emotion towards the mission and evolution . Where words do not speak and tell the audience what the person is feeling , Kubrick used music instead. "The music is associated in the film with the first entry of man's consciousness into the universe - -and with the eventual passage of that consciousness onto a new level, symbolized by the Star Child at the end of the film." Roger Ebert , Great Movie : 2001 : A Space Odyssey (1997)
More on the set design ,although the design lacked luster in the beginning , once the film developed and the futuristic essence came through , the design took off and the architecture for the space stations had childish charm when looking over the years the big buttoned consoles looked ridiculous. However, saying that, the symmetrical set design for the interior cast an uncomfortable feeling over the simple design . Where the space station looked like a cross between a hospital and a cage .Where faceless men float down the corridors.The eccentric patterns emphasizing the shape of the passage ways also drew the eye , closing in on the central figure ,yet acting like arrows , leading the main character towards his target or demise.
Bibliography :
Ebert,R (1997) Great Movie : 2001:A Space Odyssey : http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-2001-a-space-odyssey-1968
Staff,THR (2014) `2001 : A Space Odyssey` : http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2001-a-space-odyssey-read-747494
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