I owned the older featureless version of this film, and it already looked very good upconverted. I didn't see then a real need to upgrade. But this Blu-ray edition was given to me for Christmas, and the picture is so sharp and so bright, all those teeming details and contrast feel almost physical in the eyes. There was a distinct difference, and had I known, I would have made the upgrade myself. And, of course, now I can see those extra features I'd been missing. From what I've gathered, all of them from the SE made it to the Blu-ray, and I've spent the last few hours devouring them. Some of them feel redundant at times, sharing some of the same clips and restating the obvious, but if you're interested in every morsel about the film, they're all good. I'll give you a rundown of them instead of reviewing the film itself, which really is pointless here.

The first is the longest (about 40 minutes), "2001: The Making of a Myth," and has interviews with various people involved with the technical elements, the inspiration, the problems, and all put in relation to the zeitgeist, revealing just how remarkable an achievement it was. Even the mime artist playing Moonwatcher (the ape man) shares his experience, showing just how much attention to detail went into every aspect of it.

Briefly, the others: "Standing on the Shoulders of Kubrick: The Legacy of 2001" (about 21 minutes long) reflects on the considerable influence Kubrick and this film had on other directors; "Vision of a Future Passed: The Prophecy of 2001" (about 20 minutes), details the science behind it; "2001: A Look Behind the Future" (about 23 minutes), a behind-the-scenes visit by LOOK magazine while the film was still in production, an artifact looking charmingly retro with its 1960s pasty color film stock; "What is Out There" (about 20 minutes), a conjecture about alien intelligence, including a revelation that the film almost had a different ending; "2001: FX and Early Conceptual Artwork" (about 9 minutes), covers almost exclusively the design and execution of that final stargate sequence; "Look: Stanley Kubrick!", is a short montage of some of Kubrick's photos he shot for LOOK magazine; and, lastly, a 76-minute audio-only interview with Kubrick, in which he reveals himself as capable of being candid and warm.

Good stuff, all. The only feature I haven't investigated yet is the commentary track by Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood. But how can that not be interesting?

This is a fantastic movie that never grows old. The special effects are especially awesome considering when the movie was made. My only negative comment is that it follows the book so well, that events can be difficult to understand when they are described in the book but cannot be put into words in the movie. However, it is a classic that is definitely worth purchasing and watching time and again.

I greatly enjoyed this movie. I had all ways wanted to add it to my collection after I saw it when it was new.

In 'Jurassic Park' and 'Walking With Dinosaurs' God was left out of the equation, receiving no credit for those amazing animals. He's left out again in 2001. As a Christian I must take exception to the idea that man's ancestors were apes. If the characters depicted at the start of the film are my ancestors then I'm a monkey's uncle.

That aside the film is an SF Classic. It's well worth having in the DVD library of people who appreciate films of quality, no matter what the theme or genre.

PS Anima is the Latin for having a living spirit within.

Roger DESHON eboracvm@bigpond.com

My advice - if you haven't seen this film, then by all means get it and watch it. Filmed and released before we had ever set foot on the moon, with mid 60's technology, 2001 has stood the test of time and is royalty among sci-fi film classics.

Stunning cinematography. Special effects decades ahead of their time. A story that will leave you with furrowed brow and jaw agape.

See it.

A 6 stars out of 5. Top notch on every plane. My heuristics are always stimulated, well heuristically speaking. HAL we hardly knew you. Daisy, daisy give HAL an answer do. He's half crazy over the love of you and 2001.