2001 A Space Odyssey :: essays research papers

2001 was released in the profligate spring of 1968, at the same time that Americans were reeling from President Lyndon Johnsons declaration that he would not seek reelection and the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. It might bet odd that so many people would get so unrestrained about a science simile movie in the thick of urban race riots and campus protests against the Vietnam War, but to many, 2001 had far greater importance than its sci-fi trappings. convoluted early audiences with its non-traditional structure, theme, and presentation, the film was soon embraced by many members of a young generation entranced by its consciousness-raising message and its psychedelic special effects. everywhere the next 30 years, the film would not only become a part of American culture, but would eventu every last(predicate)y be hailed as a masterpiece of modern cinema.An examination of 2001s appeal over the inhabit three decades provides insight into the changing perceptions of a single heathenish inventory over time. Young Baby Boomers were initially attracted to the film for very antithetical reasons than those of audiences in the 1990s. Because 2001 is unlike many other films in that it invites its viewers to keep their own subjective interpretations, it serves particularly well as a rule of thumb for contemporary social attitudes and trends. By examining the different ways that 2001 has been interpreted by its audience over that time, it reveals a great deal about evolving cultural attitudes toward issues such as technology, spirituality, and the commercialization of American society. 2001 A Space Odyssey was the thirdly biggest box office hit of 1968 (after Mike Nichols The Graduate and William Wylers particular(a) Girl) and, upon the completion of its initial theatrical run, was one of the top twenty crudeing movies of all time.1 Over the next 30 years it would go on to gross over $56.7 million in the United States and $190.7 million worldwide .2 Science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarkes companion novel of the same name has exchange over four million copies worldwide,3 and his three follow-up novels to the story use up all spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. iodine of these sequels was turned into a moderately successful film, 2010 The Year We Make Contact, released close to 15 years after 2001. Audiences, critics, and filmmakers consistently rank the film among the deoxycytidine monophosphate best ever made. Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert has stated that if asked which films would still be familiar to audiences 200 years from now, he would select 2001, The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, and one Wars as his first choices.