Back story, I've always loved to read, and by the time I was eight, I was diving into easy-to-read mysteries, as well as fantasy and sci-fi books. I had started devouring the Lucky Starr science fiction books that were written by Isaac Asimov, though through the first few books in the series he used the pseudonym, Paul French. Another of my favorite authors was Arthur C. Clarke and if my memory is correct, I had read an article in Boys Life magazine where Clarke referred to a movie coming out later in 1968, which was based on some short stories he had written a few years earlier.
That movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Now for those who have never seen this movie, it is generally not referred to as a movie for young children. Not because of sex, language, or violence, but because the tempo and the narrative were not something that most children would enjoy. For instance, there’s not a word of dialogue for the first 25 minutes of the film. Then, there’s not a word of dialogue for the final 23 minutes of the film.
The famed director, Steven Spielberg, has said of the film, “The way the story is told is antithetical to the way we were accustomed to seeing stories.”
Okay, so now that I've set the stage for this experience, here are the facts. I talked my brother, Allan, into going to see this movie with me at a small movie theatre off of Highway 58, in Chattanooga, TN. My brother loves all things sports, and not really a huge fan of sci-fi books or movies, and the only reason he went was because I had promised the theatre had great air-conditioning and I would pay for his favorite candy. So the two of us attend this movie, and had no sooner settled in our seats when we were met with almost 30 minutes of story, (all but seven minutes or so with no dialogue) about apes, evolution, murder, and then a fast jump to the future, accompanied by the classical music piece, "The Blue Danube." (Fun fact: the rock group, Pink Floyd, were approached to contribute music for this movie but they turned down this request. Would have really loved to have heard their possible contribution . . . )
This was not your typical action flick.
In fact, not a lot really happens, except for the discovery of the monolith, until finally we get some action when the on-board robot, HAL, loses his marbles and starts killing off the crew. I woke Allan up and explained that we had a killer robot on the loose. He was not amused to have beeen roused from his nap . . .
But just when you think this movie is, at long last, moving in a typical movie direction, BAM! Suddenly we are plunged into the fate of the last surviving astronaut, Dave, with no explanation of this sudden journey, accompanied by 20 plus minutes of wild colors, crazy sound effects, and then bizarre scenes featuring Dave, in a fancy hotel, aging unexpectedly, and finally, concluding with a glowing baby, nestled in the stars.
Cue, end of movie.
Now, if you think that eight year old me had any clue what had just happened, I appreciate your misplaced confidence, but have to confess that would be an incorrect statement. But, if you think I was going to admit that to my younger brother, you are really off-base. By the time we walked out of that theatre, our faces doused with the afternoon sun, I had already started concocting my interpretation of the movie, with the confidence that there was not going to be anyone in my circle that could point out the error of my insights. (Quick reminder, no internet, no VCR tapes, so basically, it was my word against everyone else, who let's be honest, probably hadn't read the books or seen the movie.)
And I was right.
Yet, this movie probably made more of an impact on both of us than any other movie we viewed together. The story has grown to epic tellings of a movie that was so out there, it was indescribable by human language.
Except for me, of course.
So if you are ever bored, find yourself in the beautiful city of Chattanooga, and would love to hear a rant about one of the worst movies of all-time, I encourage you to pull up a chair, cook some popcorn, and ask my brother about his opinion of the movie, "2001: A Space Odyssey".
It is well worth your investment.
I promise.
