2001: A Space Odyssey [Special Edition]

Great review. One correction: in discussing the sound quality the reviewer talks about Alex North's score. While it is true that North wrote a score for the film (well partially), none of this was used in the final version. The score in the film is taken from a variety of classical sources (see the closing credits). According to most reports on the making of the film, Kubrick used available music as temp tracks when he was cutting the film and ultimately decided to use these for the score. North had composed about half the score when Kubrick made the decision. Many years later a cd of North's score was released. As a fan of the film, I am glad to know it has finally hit a medium that will do it justice, even if home video does have a way to go to duplicate the impact of a 70mm print projected on a block wide curved Cinerama screen.

I've read your reviews of both the BLU-RAY and HD DVD versions of 2001: A Space Odyssey(Great job, by the way) and noticed that the video on the BLU-RAY received a 10 and the HD DVD version only received a 9. Is there a noticable difference in the video quality between the BLU-RAY and HD DVD versions?

Kevi007,

Dean wrote up the Blu-ray review, and I wrote up the HD DVD review. Different people see things differently, in this case even so slightly. A 9 or a 10, I'm sure the movie still looks great to both of us.

John

Thanks John. I was just wondering if it was a better move to go BLU-RAY or HD DVD on this title.

I have in the past not purchased hi-def versions of DVDs if I already own the standard def and could up convert. On a whim, I decided to deviate and purchase the blu-ray version of 2001. Viewing this is to date my best experience with high definition! Though I did see 2001 as a teenager in the theaters one year after it was released, it was not until viewing the blu-ray version on my Pioneer PDP6070HD that I now fully understand why 2001 is considered a MASTERPIECE. I was so moved I felt compelled to provide some comment somewhere on the enjoyment I experienced in watching this blu-ray DVD. I joined dvdtown.com, and then saw the review of the DVD. The review is a pleasure to read, and does really hit the mark. From this moment on, I will view the reviews here at dvdtown.com, and use the information to guide my future blu-ray DVD purchases. I appreciate living in a time where we have master artists such as Stanley Kubrick - Arthur C. Clarke, et. al., and superb technologist who make it possible for everyone to fully appreciate the artistry endowed in humans.

I just watched this on HD DVD and it looked FANTASTIC. I'm amazed at how good this movie looks. All I kept thinking about is one of the quotes written for the review here on dvdtown. Something to the effect of...take any frame from this movie and you can hang it up on your wall as a picture. So true. Spectacular cinematogrophy and again it looks amazing in hidef.

Hey guys, I just realized (after posting) that this is for comments on the bluray version. I apologize, I didn't realize it. Not trying to start a format debate or anything, I thought this was a general thread about 2001. I would edit it but unfortunately the edit option doesn't come up. Again my apologies and I meant no offense. I'm sure it looks great on bluray as well :)