2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the most visually salient and aesthetically pleasing films I have ever viewed. Every single shot is oozing with glorious meticulousness and dedication to a unique feeling and look. I get the sense that Kubrick had complete and holistic control over his creation here.
Visually, this film is absolutely beautiful in all of its vintage 1970's science-fiction glory. Having a personal love for the aesthetic, this film immediately captured my attention, although there is a certain relevance and visceral purity to this film that makes it nearly untouchable in that regard, even today. Hypnotic drawn-out events filled with beautiful minimalistic ships and retro-futuristic events waft across the screen putting the viewer into a sort of trance. Equally as striking is Kubrick's usage of color, filling each visual instance with a sort of vibrancy and cohesion that is rare.
Also quite noticeable is the handling of sound. Switching back-and-forth between a handful of soundtrack-elements lends a sort of cyclic beauty to the film. Whether it be selections of classical orchestral pieces, eerie choir-like undulations, or the minimalistic yet prominent humming and chirping of machinery, this film reaches the viewer audibly as well as visually.
In the end, 2001 is an almost completely visceral experience as opposed to an intellectual one. There are those that might disagree with me, and rightfully bring up commentaries that the film makes on the enduring faults of humankind, or even the Cold War climate (yawn), but for me personally, this film was sensual and nothing else. Some might say that this is an example of style over substance, but in the end, the style was substance.
C.W.
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