2001: A Space Odyssey

 

  • Begins with shots of nature and primitive animals

    • Shows how much humans have evolved (especially to be able to travel to space)

  • Monkey “playing” with the bones of a dead animal

    • Shows that animals will use one another for enjoyment

    • Contrasts with them beating up a live monkey with the same bones

      • And killing it

  • Jumps to futuristic space scene

    • Of a spaceship designed like an airplane

  • Very futuristic view of spaceships

    • Lots of room

    • Voice print identification

    • Cute chairs

    • Lots of workers

      • Almost like an office area with a view of space

    • Includes video chat tech

      • Unsure if that was available at the time

    • Each worker has their own tablet

  • Main characters are likely elite

    • They are served by staff

    • They wear nice, clean clothes

  • Worker moves in a very robotic way

    • Dehumanizes her and separates her from the elite

  • Shot of the ship flying over a planet parallels the opening scenes with the monkeys

  • Astronauts seen on a set like area 

    • Could be based off of the controversy that the moon landing was fake

  • Astronauts are frozen (“hibernate”) to get through space

  • Computers speak and can think for themselves

    • Answer questions without pre-programmed answers

    • It is capable of emotions

      • Astronaut does not know if it is capable of producing its own emotions

        • Shows a lack of control over computers

    • Capable of playing chess with the astronauts and speaking to them while doing so

    • Comments on artwork

      • In society, it is claimed that only people of the highest intelligence and who possess emotions can comment on art

    • People go to the computer to ask for advice

      • Even on ethical issues

    • The computer blames all issues on human error and claims that computers never make mistakes

      • Strange claim because computers are made by humans 

  • The entire ship is under Hal’s control

    • If he malfunctions, the entire ship may be in danger

  • Hal ‘decides’ to not work for the ship anymore

    • Puts everyone involved in grave danger

    • Everything must be done manually

  • Very good graphics considering the time this came out

  • Lots of silence after Hal stops working

    • Implies that the world almost stopped when Hal did

  • Last shot of a fetus shows that the world will begin again

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