Photo Credit: BBC

In honour of its 50th anniversary, Stanley Kubrick’s epic science fiction feature “2001: A Space Odyssey” is heading back to the big screen for an IMAX run. It has been reported that film auteur Christopher Nolan recently oversaw “2001: A Space Odyssey’s” restoration in 70mm print, but this is the first time it will be offered in Imax for viewers to relive the extraterrestrial adventure.

If you are one of the millions of people who have caught the sci-fi masterpiece over the years since its inception, you will most probably agree that its a film made way ahead of its time. (A friendly reminder that this film premiered in 1968) 

Apart from its warped narrative and cosmic fantasy, viewers, till today, are equally puzzled at how most of the scenes were shot - considering the fact that the use of green screen and VFX were unheard of then. The film is considered to be one of the most influential films ever made - a landmark both in terms of its special effects and its daring narrative. 

It’s exciting to watch or re-watch this film 50 years later, noting the little things that Kubrick featured then has become a reality now, such as a web camera attached to a screen; a video call that was made from space; a touchscreen tablet, etc. Conversely, we still can call it a futuristic plot because most of the things shown in the movie have not come into existence till date. 





If you enjoyed watching films that are out-of-this-world (literally), such as ‘Gravity’, ‘Interstellar’ and even the ‘Star Wars’ series, then an IMAX run of “2001: A Space Odyssey” may be just right up your alley. There are many elements in the show to look forward to, especially the anti-gravity moments in space that still manages to fascinate viewers; based on the ‘oohs and wows’ I'd heard during the screening. Colour and light projections are also major elements presented in Kubrick's film, notably the 10-minute-or-so psychedelic animation known as the Stargate sequence where abstract tunnels of bursting neon splats through the screen. The 'trippiness' of that particular sequence was certainly enhanced due to the extended width from an IMAX screen that you may not be able to experience with a TV screen. 

Do yourself a favour, if you have not caught this masterpiece, go watch it. And if you do, settle nothing less than an IMAX screening. 



Synopsis
"2001" is a story of evolution. Sometime in the distant past, someone or something nudged evolution by placing a monolith on Earth (presumably elsewhere throughout the universe as well). Evolution then enabled humankind to reach the moon's surface, where yet another monolith is found, one that signals the monolith placers that humankind has evolved that far. Now a race begins between computers (HAL) and human (Bowman) to reach the monolith placers. The winner will achieve the next step in evolution, whatever that may be.


2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY will be released exclusively at Shaw Theatres Lido IMAX for a limited one-week engagement from 27 September - 3 October, 2018.