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While I agree the concept of the jump cut was brilliant, I found the execution to be lacking. It's not a perfect match (and it quite easily could have been). It certainly sells the point, but I just think it isn't quite what it could have been, visually.

I absolutely hated the movie when I first saw it. Of course I was quite young, and I saw it after seeing the Star Wars movies - so I was expecting more of that. However, after repeat viewings, it has grown on me, and I do love the ambiguity of it all. Kubrick's work (The Shining and Full Metal Jacket (1st half) being the only exceptions) usually takes 2-3 viewings for me to fully appreciate it.

2001 is fine, but for my money Starship Troopers is far superior.

Having watched Kubrick make Tom Cruise do 42 takes just walking through a door I have no doubt that he probably cut and recut the 'infamous' match cut. Maybe it just didn't work if it was matched perfectly, maybe you need that slight pause or mismatch in order for your eyes to scan it.... who knows.. Besides, if you watch any edit enough you see faults. How long do you spend hunched over the optical printer with one piece of film when you're already $4.5 million and 16 months over schedule....?? The edit should be remembered as first viewed, as something beautiful and daring, not as something to be endlessly pored over and picked apart by chin stroking arty farty's like myself....

And as for the ending.... who knows?? Kubrick himself was always reluctant to talk about it but did say that:

They are the areas I prefer not to discuss, because they are highly subjective and will differ from viewer to viewer. In this sense, the film becomes anything the viewer sees in it. If the film stirs the emotions and penetrates the subconscious of the viewer, if it stimulates, however inchoately, his mythological and religious yearnings and impulses, then it has succeeded.

And yeah... Starship Troopers was a blast!!

Tee hee. Group Captain Lionel Mandrake on being tortured by the Japanese in Dr Strangelove:

Ah, oh, no... well, I don't think they wanted me to talk really. I don't think they wanted me to say anything. It was just their way of having a bit of fun, the swines. Strange thing is they make such bloody good cameras.

And how about AI? (Stands back in anticipation....)

A.I was ok I thought up until the (Expletive refering to a males testicular region) tacked on ending no doubt added by Spielburg to make it a more Spielburgy ending. All Davids Dreams come true....ahhhhhhhh

Mandrake wrote:And how about AI? (Stands back in anticipation....)

I did say that i quite liked AI. in fact i do have it on dvd. More for the extras than the film though. The methods used in some of the special effect work is facinating.

I have the DVD as well - weird film but fascinating in terms of the FX used.

Quite enjoyed AI.... although that kid gives me the creeps at the best of times.... I don't even mind the sappy ending you hard hearted devils!!

Paths Of Glory is a great film too. Anything that France bans for 30 years is worth watching!!

wow.... and I thought I had too much time on my hands..... nicely done..

If you have a large amount of free time I can recommend The Lost Worlds of 2001 that was released as an accompaniment to the film. It is not a very large book, but it will take most of your free time trying to find a copy. Not that it's worth anything.
It has alternative scenes and a lot of discussion about the talkie toaster thing.

I used to have a copy, but i lent it out.