Isaac Asimov’s Thoughts On 2001: A Space Odyssey Will Change How You See The Sci-Fi Movie – Slashfilm.com

Movies, Science Fiction Movies

Isaac Asimov’s Thoughts On 2001: A Space Odyssey Will Change How You See The Sci-Fi Movie – By Jaron Pak Jan. 18, 2026 2:00 pm EST.

An astronaut walks through a tunnel in 2001: A Space Odyssey
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Isaac Asimov is, in many ways, the father of modern science fiction. He popularized concepts like “the robot” and even gifted us the Three Laws of Robotics. Asimov’s own works have also been adapted more than once. Will Smith led an “I, Robot” project over 20 years ago. Apple TV is in the midst of its “Foundation” series, too. The latest season was a banger, and season 4 is already greenlit.

While his written words have had plenty of opportunities to make their way to the silver and streaming screens, Asimov had some additional thoughts on other sci-fi projects, including the iconic “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

In a 1977 issue of the magazine American Film, Asimov shared his thoughts on the Stanley Kubrick classic, which had come out nine years earlier in 1968. He praised, among other things, the film’s down-to-earth nature and the fact that it took space seriously, paving the way for adults to enjoy the genre. After comparing most early science fiction to nothing more than a string of “youngster-oriented” Westerns, Asimov called out “2001’s” writer, Arthur C. Clarke, as the key difference maker, saying the story and science were “In the hands of a crackerjack scientist/science fiction writer.” He added:

"That meant '2001: A Space Odyssey' could be relied on to have the elementary facts of science straight. Spaceships would look like spaceships, and the moon would resemble our satellite."

To put it another way, “2001: A Space Odyssey” was one of the first times we saw space stories grow up from “cops and robbers” yarns for kids to an opportunity to tell serious stories that mesmerized audiences and stirred the soul.
Asimov called out 2001’s special effects as especially impressive

Two astronauts talking in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Along with the writing, Asimov highlighted the ability of director Stanley Kubrick to bring the visuals to life in new, unique, and exciting ways, saying:

Stanley Kubrick spared no expense on special effects in '2001' and for that reason it made movie history as the first hit adult-science-fiction film.

Asimov added that the movie wouldn’t be surpassed in popularity until “Star Wars” arrived on the scene nearly a decade later in 1977. (The “I, Robot” author had some thoughts on George Lucas’ universe, too.) Coincidentally, that was the same year he wrote his “2001” review. Despite the pivot to popularity, though, Asimov’s commentary couldn’t get away from the visuals. He came back to it, saying:

"What is, by all the odds, most remarkable about '2001: A Space Odyssey' are its visual effects. These do not achieve their interest through the display of extraterrestrials, but through the depiction of those sights of outer space which are there and can be seen in reality."

The ability to show the awe-inspiring and, at times, chilly realities of space is one of “2001: A Space Odyssey’s” greatest strengths. It brings a fresh degree of realism to the space experience that doesn’t feel like it’s copying another genre. It’s embracing the natural strengths of its own storytelling canvas.

Read More: https://www.slashfilm.com/2051838/isaac-asimov-2001-a-space-odyssey-sci-fi-movie-thoughts/

Editor’s Note: Read the rest of the story, at the below link.

Continue/Read Original Article Here: Isaac Asimov’s Thoughts On 2001: A Space Odyssey Will Change How You See The Sci-Fi Movie

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"Tati himself, who admired Kubrick immensely for his craft, was a big fan of 2001, but I have no idea what Kubrick thought of Playtime. By then many of my friends were squaring off by regarding either 2001 or Playtime as the great film of the modern era."
(...)

https://jonathanrosenbaum.net/2022/12/lines-and-circles-tk/

2/3

#jonathanrosenbaum #jacquestati #stanleykubrick #playtime #2001 #aspaceodyssey

Lines and Circles [PLAYTIME and 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY] | Jonathan Rosenbaum

Is "2001: A Space Odyssey" a comedy?

Stanley Kubrick is known for making... well... he is known primarily for making 2001: A Space Odyssey... but most of his other films are black-comedies that poke fun at some rather dark aspects of the society. Full Metal Jacket is undeniably a comedy that pokes fun at the Vietnam war. Dr. Strangelove is a comedy that pokes fun at the absurdity of nuclear weapons. Hell even Lolita is a comedy. And a very funny one at that. So in the middle of all this, Kubrick decides to make a movie about space and stuff. And makes 2001: A Space Odyssey. So is it a comedy as well?
Is "2001: A Space Odyssey" a comedy?

Stanley Kubrick is known for making... well... he is known primarily for making 2001: A Space Odyssey... but most of his other films are black-comedies that poke fun at some rather dark aspects of the society. Full Metal Jacket is undeniably a comedy that pokes fun at the Vietnam war. Dr. Strangelove is a comedy that pokes fun at the absurdity of nuclear weapons. Hell even Lolita is a comedy. And a very funny one at that. So in the middle of all this, Kubrick decides to make a movie about space and stuff. And makes 2001: A Space Odyssey. So is it a comedy as well?

blenderdumbass . org

From: blenderdumbass . org

Stanley Kubrick is known for making... well... he is known primarily for making 2001: A Space Odyssey... but most of his other films are black-comedies that poke fun at some rather dark aspects of the society. Full Metal Jacket is undeniably a comedy that pokes fun at the Vietnam war. Dr. Strangelove is a comedy that pokes fun at the absurdity of nuclear weapons. Hel...

Read: https://blenderdumbass.org/reviews/is__2001:_a_space_odyssey__a_comedy_

#ASpaceOdyssey #StanleyKubrick #film #review #movies #cinemastodon

Is "2001: A Space Odyssey" a comedy?

Stanley Kubrick is known for making... well... he is known primarily for making 2001: A Space Odyssey... but most of his other films are black-comedies that poke fun at some rather dark aspects of the society. Full Metal Jacket is undeniably a comedy that pokes fun at the Vietnam war. Dr. Strangelove is a comedy that pokes fun at the absurdity of nuclear weapons. Hell even Lolita is a comedy. And a very funny one at that. So in the middle of all this, Kubrick decides to make a movie about space and stuff. And makes 2001: A Space Odyssey. So is it a comedy as well?

blenderdumbass . org

My ★★★★★ review of 2001: A Space Odyssey on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/8Cz9FN

#kubrick #cinema #anngillis #aspaceodyssey #letterboxd

A ★★★★★ review of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

So many brilliant reviews of this one-of-kind movie exist. Instead of adding more deserved superlatives to 2001, I’ll tell a special story about one of the cast members… (perhaps this is a good story) Some years ago I found out that a former Hollywood child star was said to live in my own town in Belgium, according to IMDB (thé film database next to Letterboxd). Ann Gillis was her name. ‘How bizarre’, I thought. Was that correct?... This resulted in a search (including a complex family tree) and a FB tribute page. A FB friend and movie lover I knew

A ★★★★★ review of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

So many brilliant reviews of this one-of-kind movie exist. Instead of adding more deserved superlatives to 2001, I’ll tell a special story about one of the cast members… (perhaps this is a good story) Some years ago I found out that a former Hollywood child star was said to live in my own town in Belgium, according to IMDB (thé film database next to Letterboxd). Ann Gillis was her name. ‘How bizarre’, I thought. Was that correct?... This resulted in a search (including a complex family tree) and a FB tribute page. A FB friend and movie lover I knew

Ah! So it's #transhumanism that this thread is about, primarily.

I've been familiar with the term but not its meaning since I know it's connected with the worst kind of people, like #PeterThiel, and the general #SiliconValley #techbro #elitist "community".

This video on #2001: #ASpaceOdyssey makes the connection for me while also providing what seems to me to be a very good explanation of the ending and #StanleyKubrick's possible intent.

#InorganicEvolution

#link: https://youtu.be/y94S7YWRCXQ?si=RdWG9HJ6OQTivF5m

Consciousness in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY | Film Analysis

YouTube
A #monolith just appeared in my living room

#2001 #ASpaceOdyssey #ItsSoFullOfStars

Il y un monolithe qui vient d'apparaître dans mon salon.
Bdx.town