Monkeys, monoliths, and AI, oh my!

2001: A Space Odyssey is a classic sci-fi film, made all the more classic by being director Stanley Kubrick‘s first film of the genre. Upon finishing Dr. Strangelove, Kubrick desired to make a film about alien life; eventually, he collaborated with author Arthur C. Clarke to produce a novel and film together — and thus, 2001 was born.

Based in part (or at least inspired by) on an earlier story of Clarke’s, the film tells the tale of humanity’s rise and possible fall at the hands of aliens. Or at least, it appears to — the plot is pretty damn opaque, with many hints, clues, and mysteries left as such. Rather than detract, however, this vagueness imparts a sense of mystique, a perfect quality for a film about AI, aliens, and the universe at large. Stunning cinematography and sets add a bit of realism, warding off any sense of the hokey sci-fi of yesteryear.