While "2010" cannot compare to the masterpiece that is "2001," it is still a good example of the type of sci-fi film that should be made. And by that, I mean a sci-fi film should be about adventure and mystery more than anything else. This film provides plenty of that: there is the search for the lost Discovery ship over Jupiter; there is the investigation of the monolith; and finally, there is the final race to blast away from Jupiter.
"2010" surprised me with its performances. Roy Scheider is well-cast as Dr. Floyd, who's trying to figure everything else; Helen Mirren is solid as the Russian commander; and the supporting performances from Lithgow, Balaban, and the "Russian guy who's in everything" Elya Baskin are fine. And the series couldn't be complete without Keir Dullea or Douglas Rain reprising their roles as Bowman and HAL respectively.
Even though they date from 1984, the visual effects hold off astonishingly well. I was especially impressed with the rippling Jupiter (early CGI) as well as the attempt-to-hook-onto-Discovery scene. My main problems with the movie come from the fact that it is very dated now (in terms of world politics and technology), but that could not have been help. It also is kind of a let down to be told the reasons for some of the events of "2001," but again that is only the novel's fault. This movie is a worthy sequel to Kubrick's film, and is the kind of sci-fi film Hollywood should focus on making.
"2010" surprised me with its performances. Roy Scheider is well-cast as Dr. Floyd, who's trying to figure everything else; Helen Mirren is solid as the Russian commander; and the supporting performances from Lithgow, Balaban, and the "Russian guy who's in everything" Elya Baskin are fine. And the series couldn't be complete without Keir Dullea or Douglas Rain reprising their roles as Bowman and HAL respectively.
Even though they date from 1984, the visual effects hold off astonishingly well. I was especially impressed with the rippling Jupiter (early CGI) as well as the attempt-to-hook-onto-Discovery scene. My main problems with the movie come from the fact that it is very dated now (in terms of world politics and technology), but that could not have been help. It also is kind of a let down to be told the reasons for some of the events of "2001," but again that is only the novel's fault. This movie is a worthy sequel to Kubrick's film, and is the kind of sci-fi film Hollywood should focus on making.