ShariRN3

This morning I finally sat down and watched the entire film after having made several attempts in the past. Perhaps I am daft but I was completely confused by this film. The beginning was a bit odd, to say the least, but I could make some sense of it (if I tried hard). The end, however, left me scratching my head in wonderment. Yes, it is intriguing to ponder the possibility of life on earth having a celestial origin (other than the work of God that is). Unfortunately man's journey to discover its origins is the part that confused me. Where exactly did Dave go? How did he get from the pod to the bedroom? What is the meaning of him as an old man and then a dying man (who is enigmatically pointing at the very reason for the journey: the black monolith)? What happened to HAL to make him "mutiny"? I have the utmost respect for Arthur C. Clarke but I have to say that I haven't the vaguest idea why this movie is so popular. Geez, is it slow! The entire thing could have been told in 45 minutes had we not had to watch each and every sloth-like movement of the equipment and actors. Well, this is only one person's opinion...right?

The first 45 minutes of this film I was frightened, intrigued, on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, that initial impression did not last. It wasn't long before I became, well, frankly bored with the gore. The movie became one long...entirely too long...gore-fest. I thought if I saw one more "zombie" with bits of brain flying from his head, I might scream. Yes, these "zombies" are more frightening than the leg dragging sloths of the original but how much can be done to make the story more intriguing? Evidently the makers of this movie were trying to draw in the twentysomethings because they managed to stick in a quicky boob shot with the obligatory derriere slapping, not to mention having every other word being "f--k". Perhaps I am too old-fashioned.

I have seen this movie literally hundreds of times but everytime it is on TV, I sit and watch it again. This is a sweet, funny, light-hearted movie that the entire family can watch--no gratuitous sex, no four-letter words--just fun. They don't make them like this anymore. I still laugh about the "pistol with the poison is in the flagon with the dragon, the chalice from the palace has the brew that is true". Danny Kaye is a genius, no one can utter tongue twisters like he can. This movie also features a very young and beautiful Angela Lansbury (for you "Murder, She Wrote" fans). Of course there is Basil Rathbone, who is of course, suave and dashing. What more could you ask of a movie? Watch this movie--you'll be glad you did.