Title: 2001: A Space Odyssey Author: Stanley Kubrick Text type: film For me, '2001: A Space Odyssey' was an endlessly inspiring film. With its powerful, enigmatic meanings embodied deep within, '2001: A Space Odyssey' renders a bold and yet disconcerting prediction of our future. Made to draw awe, and also to draw attention to the rapidly advancing technology and the 2001 momentous role it plays, throughout the journey of the ever so progressing humanity. In comparison to 'Brave New World', '2001: A Space Odyssey' explores the outstretch of human capabilities to space as our technology and our curiosity takes us. '2001' made me understand the true and breathtaking meaning of technology. Surprisingly to me, '2001' does not offer the viewer a clear explanation of itself being a Sci-Fi film. Which I though was very contrasting to 'Star Wars's iconic scrolling backstory opening, which have existed in the same time period as '2001'. With its minimal use of dialogue and context, '2001: A Space Odyssey' creates an grippingly enigmatic atmosphere that always seems to fill me with an omnipresent sense of unease, And I think that is the beauty of '2001'. The director almost lets you 'feel' his film with its ambitious sound and visuals, because what he is about to show the audience that the film is more than a cheap sense of thrill, but endless inspirations and ideas that will linger for decades. Kubrick made me realise that how something thats so simple and elegant could design and signify ideas that are so powerful. Even though the film seemed a bit ambiguous, the idea of the threat posed by technology is vivid and blunt as it stands. The most direct and tangible symbol of the threat posed by technology, is 'HAL 9000'. A computer that is capable of human intelligence and "incapable of error", relied on to take on beyond human responsibilities, which "include watching over the men in hibernation" during a space mission. It is interesting how the dialogue is set out - that a piece of technology is overwatching men! Or rather, mankind. Which sounded undoubtedly ominous to me. HAL 9000 symbolises the idea of the blind obsession with technology and also the problems that will arise and that we will encounter as we design more advanced, sophisticated technology. HAL is the mankind's most advanced technology in the world of '2001', a technology that overpowered humanity itself. '2001: A Space Odyssey' reminded me of what Albert Einstein had said: "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." This statement has become more applicable and obvious than ever in our modern world, and it is another reminder that we are one step closer to the world of '2001'. I think technology should never be placed upon human nature and...
