Space Babie and an Intentionally Ambigious Monolith -- A Critique of 2001: A Space Odyssey

Good evening Internet!

Do you know who this robot is? This is Hal. Hal has got to be one of the first robot characters in film history. We like Hal. A lot. So this blog is a Film Geek Critique of 2001: A Space Odyssey (insert dramatic, stereotypical space echo here if you so wish).

For anyone who has ever watched 2001, you will understand the following summary. For those who haven’t… to try to completely and properly explain the plot summary of 2001 is like having someone take a 2x4 and smack you upside the head. Repeatedly.  (leave you confused, perhaps angry if you are still conscious, and give you a splitting headache).

If you are still reading this. Terrific. Onto the Recap.

First thing you will see is monkeys. These monkeys, lucky us, are our ancestors (aren’t they adorable?). Our ancestors were violent. This is made painfully clear after a number of dialogue-less, slow paced shots of our monkey ancestors doing their monkey, ancestor things. In particular we are introduced to two “tribes” of these monkeys. Things get sad when Monkey Tribe A gets kicked out of their territory by Monkey Tribe B. But it’s okay because then Then this absurdly large, black rectangle comes out of nowhere (The intentionally ambiguous and slightly mysterious Monolith), emits some noise, the apes go bananas, and a couple scenes later they find a big bone. Then they go over to the Monkey Jerks who took their territory and start hitting them with the bone. And who said violence didn’t solve anything?

I’m going to go off on a tangent here to discuss the Monolith. I love the theories that surround this odd thing. Some say that it is actually a movie theater screen (since the Monoliths dimensions and appearance are very similar to a movie theater screen during the time the film was released). Some suggest it is a God Like figure that actually gave the apes the intelligence to discover tools and weapons (the bone which led to murder). Finally, some just agree that the Monolith was left to be an intentionally ambiguous and mysterious entity. Like my project partner, who wanted us to dress up in a cardboard box painted black and yell at the beginning of our 2001presentation “What am I?!!” to our Film 309 class. (the big black thing in the picture below that doesn't really look like anything.. oh well.)

End of part one. Yeah. Long movie. (“Fun” Fact: the transition where the ape throws the bone into the air which then magically turns into a space station thing is one of the most famous, and longest -- since it jumps over millions of years, Match-on-Action shot in film history!)

At this point, we are now far into the “future” (that is, the future for them back them, not what is potential our future now). We are in the space station, and we are told that we must journey to Jupiter because it is emitting strange frequencies.

This leads the Discovery One to travel to Jupiter, with Captain Bowman, his trusty sidekick Poole, and (most importantly) HAL!! I love Hal. Mainly because Hal is without a doubt completely and utterly mad.

…Kind of like us!

So Hal goes mad. And this is why I love him. He is the only character who shows emotion. And yes, I realise I had just critiqued Burton’s film “Frankenweenie” for his less than enthusiastic and well developed characters.  But I swear, this is different!

Bowman and Poole (the only awake humans on the ship) have a completely role reversal with Hal. Where Hal shows concern, the humans don’t. Where Hal shows pride, the humans don’t. Hal lies. He cheats. He is extremely dynamic! His subtle spiral into insanity as his dangerous ego gets a hold of his better “judgement” is so well done, most won’t even catch the change! Hal is also an incredibly dark character, wish reflects the Kubrick style very well. In my opinion, Hal represents Kubrick’s style perfectly.

Kubrick has a distinct, pessimistic voice that criticizes the human race, all of which can be seen in Hal’s traits. And why I love this is because Kubrick allows us to examine on what he argues is our true human nature in a non-threatening objective way – because we never actually see these horrid traits on a human! The humans are the robots, where the robots (as well as the monkeys) are the violent ones.

Busted, human race!

While I may not agree with how pessimistic his views are… I just love Hal~~ <3

Now we can wrap up with the infamous Star Gate sequence……………………………………………………………………… No I can’t. The best I can explain it is that Bowman (the only survival after he dismantles the murderous Hal) inhaled some fumes since the Star Gate has never made any sense to anyone!

All you need to know is that Bowman reaches Jupiter, lives in a nice home, ages by his lonely self, and then the Monolith turns him into a baby….

Just watch it for yourself. I have watched that sequence about ten times over, and while I have my own theories, it’s just easier (and more entertaining) to leave the internet to their own devices. So have fun, and leave a comment if you like!

As a whole, a brilliant movie by a brilliant (if not somewhat disturbed) director.

The End!

Frank The Weenie -- A Critique of Frankenweenie

Hello internet!

As this is my first post, allow me to explain myself... my name is unknown to you (as it will probably remain). I am a film major. I work/volunteer at the campus TV station. I am a geek. I also enjoy critiquing the everyday absurdities that I encounter. Now, I put them on the internet.

Let me first state this: I love Tim Burton, and what I am about to say, does not to apply to each of his individual films.

Now to my main point. Frankenweenie sucked balls.

...perhaps that was harsh, but allow me to quickly explain the plot for those who have not seen it..
A lonely and geeky boy loses his best friend/dog. Very sad, yes. However, he then thinks, "hey, I have a brilliant idea! Lets bring it back to life!" Really? Okay. Fine. But then three other characters come into play, and where take a sudden turn... right off a cliff.

all because of this little creeper right here. While I usually admire the visual, disturbing appeal that typically is attached to a Tim Burton film (and, on this point, my opinion does not change... no matter how perverted Creepy McCreepster is over there)... my main complaint is the character development. Or lack there of. NO ONE EVER REALLY CHANGES.

No one recognizes their mistakes. Not really. I guess that you could make an arguement for the adults... but really? After the dramatic conclusion, after the (SPOILERS) dog dies a second time, and the main character makes a grand old speech about how it is important to let things you love go, and all sweet (albeit bitter-sweet) feelings are being spread around as the main character grows, and a well of emotion is spreading though your chest, and a tear rolls down your cheek, KA-BLAMY! "Don't worry son, we will revive him again with our car batteries!!"

 

Oh, hello there moral of the story, let me just throw you out the window. No one is punished. Nothing changes. That dog is still dead. and now that little boy is still in denial.

 

Now, to be fair, I suppose Burton was going for a family, happy movie in which the story was meant to revolve around the love between a boy and his dead dog, which I can respect. I have a dog. He was hit by a car (thank god, didn't have a scratch on him). My dog is extremely important to me. There is very little I wouldn't do for him.

 

But this movie completely denies the reality of death. Our entire western society has issues with death. We dress our corpses up so they appear still alive. We place the sick in hosptials so it is easier for us to cope, so we have the choice not to see it everyday. We use medication to keep them alive. Of course, I would never hate on the medical profession, but now our society lives in a state of denial. (However, another blog, another time)  I suppose, from Burton, I expected something more to his style. It felt as if he was putting a nice little bow, patting us on the head, and telling us that everything will be okay in the end.

 

Perhaps this is the pessimist in me, but... bull shit. Nice try, Timmy. I just found that ending a major flaw. I understand that the movie was made for children/ families. But he has made much darker films with far more bitter endings that I've suggested. Look at Big Fish! Look at 9! Big Fish is the bomb! I love Big Fish.

 

We need more Big Fish...

 

The End.