When space ships do ballet...

Stanley Kubrick does it again; he has this knack to juxtapose the most contrasting, disconnected imagery and sound to make new connotations. ‘2001, A space odyssey’ is a fine example of this. The space machinery appear to be gifted with the grace and poise of a ballet dancer! HAL almost seems human, with his ability to exhibit emotions. I particularly like the contradiction between his machine like voice saying the very typical sentimental statements.

Evolution of apes to man was the deliberation of an extraterrestrial force. A monolith is planted on earth, which acts as fuel for the ape’s burning curiosity. We have been so dependent on technology for our evolution, that one day the technology will take over us. And this is for real, it is where we are headed, slowly but surely.

The shots seem a little longer than required, maybe Kubrick wants to convey something that I failed to comprehend. Clever use of cameras to create the antigravity feel. There was some disdain regarding the special effects, but one has to remember that it was made in 1968 when Lucas and Spielberg were aspiring to make their movies. KUDOS to the man… he does it again……….