2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

STUNNING BLU RAY IS A MUST HAVE

A post modern cultural phenomenon. 2001 is a genre defining, trailblazing classic that changed cinema and influenced an entire generation of great filmmakers including Lucas & Spielberg. And this brilliant Blu-Ray transfer will turn you into a HD philistine. A magnificent presentation of one of cinemas all time great movies. June 16, 2008

Eye-popping transfer of 2001...

2001: A Space Odyssey needs no introduction, and it certainly doesn't need a review from me. So I won't waste my time and yours by reviewing the movie itself, but will focus on the blu-ray itself. For my money, it's the best sci-fi movie ever made, and I'll leave it at that.

Simply put, the picture quality here is stunning. I have never seen a 40-year-old movie look so good, and I'll be surprised if I ever do again. The enormous landscapes during the Dawn of Man segment look like something out of Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]. The blinking lights and signs on the Discovery are so clear you'll swear you're looking at them directly, not on a screen (and certainly not on 40-year-old film stock!). In case it isn't already clear, I was completely blown away by how good this movie looks.

Now, the movie is enough to sell this disc by itself, but it's also pretty loaded with special features. I haven't made it through them all yet, but they seem to be comprised of equal parts quality information and 2001/Kubrick worship (not that it isn't deserved...). I'm glad to know how they did some of the special effects, but who cares if Spielberg and George Lucas say that Kubrick was a genius?

For under $20, this is one of the best blu-ray deals out there, and is simply a no-brainer. June 9, 2008

2001, A Space Odyssey

2001 - A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray]This review is for the blu-ray edition of 2001 A Space Odyssey. This film is one of my all time favorites. I own the re-mastered DVD version which plays beautifully on progressive scan DVD players and when up-sampled on blu-ray players. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the "re-mastered" blu-ray release. While many of the live-action scenes benefit from the higher resolution and scan rate, the special effects fall apart completely. Model shots look - well like plastic models. Worse, the traveling mattes are quite visible and there are an incredible number of artifacts in several of the space shots. What is also apparent is that this version was in fact not re-mastered for blu-ray. If it was, I seriously question the knowledge and skills of the engineers who did the work. Warner Home Video please call Criterion immediately and ask for recommendations for new post houses to really re-master this amazing film for this new medium. Also don't advertise something as re-mastered when it isn't this is the last Warner blu-ray title I buy thanks to your false advertising. June 8, 2008

Awesome

Just a great flick! Most older movies that go to blu-ray still maintain their grain and poor quality-(cough cough, terminator, cough) not this one! crystal clear, great sound, great movie. If you liked it back in the day, you need to get this copy! June 3, 2008

Unbelievable movie

In my opinion this is the best movie ever made. You have to see it many times to understand. May 21, 2008

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