2001 A Space Odyssey: Collector`s Box Set (UK)

The best sci-fi movie ever ? Certainly. Kubricks masterpiece finally comes to region 2 in a nice box set. I had been looking forward to this for quite some time and and certainly was not dissapointed. What can I say about the film itself? Nothing that hasn`t been said many times before. Suffice to say that it is about mans place in the universe, God, and the future of the human race. Pretty big themes! It would be impossible for a film to deal with this kind of subject matter completely successfuly, and this has led to many of the criticisms leveled at the film over the years. Yes, it is slow moving, there isn`t much of a plot, and what plot there is is hard to follow , but this is what makes the film work so well. It may pose more questions than it answers, but if you have the patience to see it through to the end it can be a very rewarding experience.

The quality of the anamorphic image is superb, especially considering that the film is now over 30 years old. The restoration is top notch. As usual DVD shames my old VHS copy, which although an MGM Classic series vid is a dreadful pan and scan monstrosity. This image on this DVD gives this film the scale it needs; from the sunsets and barren deserts at the beginning, to the spinning space station, to the Stargate sequence at the end, the film looks fantastic.

The DD5.1 sound is excellent too; music is wonderfully presented, Richard Strauss` "Thus Spake Zarathustra" blasts out with power and volume, giving the images that it accompanies the gravity Kubrick intended, an effect that you simply do not get on TV or video. Overall it is a very quiet film as far as sound effects go, but the Stargate sequence takes on an extra dimension with some truly ground shaking bass.

Exras included in the package is a limited edition senitype and 70mm film frame, the soundtrack, and a booklet. The price is fairly high considering there are no real extras on the disc itself (aside from the trailer), but it is well worth paying out if you are a fan of the film. If not not may be prudent to wait until the normal release later in the year.

Overall, a superb film on a superb disc.

Let me first say that this review regards the "regular" version of the movie and not the collector`s set box version. It was impossible to located the disk I`ve reviewed and put it on the site.
This movie is considered by many to be a sci-fi masterpiece. Well, after watching it for the very first time I can honestly say that I do understand what the fuss was all about, but, alas, I cannot follow the herd of worshipers. Yes, the movie aged very well, but I have found it to be only partially interesting, musically incredible, hilariously awful regarding its sound, but most importantly - pointless. All the characters are flat and they never get a chance to develop, despite the 143 minutes of running time. The last 30 minutes of the movie are one of the largest pile of crap I`ve ever seen.
The video transfer is excellent. It`s obvious that a lot of restoration work had been put here, since the transfer is flawless. It`s clean of any scratches and blemishes, and there are no compression signs either.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is good. The surrounds are only used to enhance the musical score. While the music is mind blowing at times, the so-called "regular" sound effects are non-existent. While this is obviously an artistic decision, I found it to be rather awful. Several scenes are totally silent, regardless to their actual content. The musical score gets a 9, while the sound gets a 5. Thus, the average is 7.
The menus are all still and silent.
There are no extras on the disk at all.
Bottom line - while I can admit that there IS something special about this movie, I don`t think I`ll ever watch it again due to its incoherency at times and for its stupid, pointless ending.

I can sort of understand why people were upset with the lack of features, but come on, it`s 2001: A Space Oddysey. Features would be nice but the print is something to die for.

This film bored me to death. Kubrick makes some nice visual touches and remains ambiguous. I know that the critics drool over it and claim it as a masterpiece. Trust me, this is rubbish. Go watch someting groundreaking like the Matrix instead.

Any1 thats says this film is useless, really doesnt understand the film at all, nor have they read the book!
This is truly a classic film which can be watched again and again and again. The music in it is fantastic, some of the special effect still look great today, and considering it was made when man had only just got into space, some of the ideas they used were just amazing. Stanley Kubrick was one of the best directors ever, try watching Clockwork orange or Full metal Jacket and you will get an idea of what this guy is capable of. I love this film, I can remember watching this on BBC2 when I was a kid and not really understanding it. I then watched it again on BBC 2 a few years latter and it just clicked. If you love Sci Fi, you`ll love it. If you love Stanley Kubricks other films you`ll love it too. Theres lots of things in this film/book that were predicted that have come true in real life, like sub space radio. And ever noticed how the letters HAL are 1 letter b4 IBM????

considering the book was written in the 30`s its amazing. Just buy it

"Open the Pod bay doors Please Hal"