2001: a space odyssey-4K Blu-ray Review
2001: a space odyssey – 1968
Warner Bros 1968
G | 2hrs 29mins | Adventure | Sci-Fi
HD | 1080P | DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (x2)
4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Vision | DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (x2)
2.20:1 Aspect Ratio
Staring: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter, Leonard Rossiter, Margaret Tyzack
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Ratings & Reviews
Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.
My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.
What did the 4K version look like? Very good, and the 5.1 sound track(s)? Engaging with some respectable bottom end.
Entertainment: 4+
Video: 4+
Audio: 4+
Technical Review – 4K UHD HDR10
Fool me once, fool me twice! It has been a very long time since I saw this movie at the cinema. At first playing I thought that I had a faulty disc due to what seems to be an eternity of black with eventual music before the imagery starts both at the beginning of the movie, and after the ‘Intermission’. So relax, the images do appear.
2001: a space odyssey was shot on 65mm film in Cinerama, Todd AO and Super Panavision 70 formats. This new 4K UHD release was created by scanning the original camera negative in 8K and then down sampling to 4K for release in its original a 2.2:1 aspect ratio. The image was then regraded for high dynamic range in both HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
Despite this movie being 50+ years old it has stood the test of time. While the visual effects may not be a match for modern CGI they are well integrated and not in anyway distracting. Much of the image revolves around primarily white space craft and the deep blacks of space. This new 4K scan provides good detail on the various crafts bright white interiors and exteriors and excellent deep blacks from the depths of space punctuated by bright stars and planets providing a first rate contrast. In opposition to the highly contrasted ‘cooler’ space sequences, the opening Dawn of Man sequence has a warmer de-satuarted sepia tone feel to it but still maintains good black levels and detail from the apes fur to the rocks and ground cover. Craft interiors are basic by modern movie standards with only marginal detail from displays and surfaces. These being the complete opposite to the very high skin and hair detail from the various facial closeups, revealing accurate skin tones and textures. Overall image detail ranges from very good to exceptional, though a few shots are a little optically soft, with shadow detail being generally good. The film’s grain structure runs from light to moderate and is clearly intact. Visible bits of dust and dirt on the earlier release have also been eliminated. General prop and clothing detail was sharp with good detailing on the red and yellow space suites. This movie is not a visual feast by modern standards, but colors are well saturated such as those of the space suits, chairs and the decommissioning of HAL etc. The closing psychedelic graphical sequences providing ladles of saturated colors.
Audio – DTS HD Master Audio 5.1
While 2001 does provide a very good image it also sports a fairly impressive classical soundtrack including Johann Strauss’ The Blue Danube, Richard Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra and Ligeti’s Atmospheres. The movie features two DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. One represents the original theatrical 6-track audio mix formatted to 5.1, the other is a fully remastered re-mix of the original sound track completed in 1999. There isn’t a great deal of difference between the two mixes. The 1999 mix provides an improved dynamic range, a slightly wider soundstage and a small increase in the use of the rear surrounds enhancing atmospheric effects and cues. This new mix also had a slightly less aggressive low end with a mid-range that was brighter and more forward than the original sound track. There is some occasional audible distortion in both mixes with the original mix having a slightly more extended LF response and, to my ears, a more pleasing mid-range. Your mileage may vary, but I preferred the original mix. Sound stage imaging across the front was very good with solid, clean and clear upfront placement of dialogue, be it HAL or the actors.
Story Overview
2001 is a concept story of evolution spanning the devlopment of man from the dawn of time to reaching the stars. It tells of a mysterious black Monolith found on earth that inspires a group of primitive apes to begin to use tools resulting in their development into the modern humans of today. One large step for mankind and in 2001 humanity has reached the stars and discovers a second Monolith on the moon’s surface. Discovering that this Monolith is sending a radio signal aimed at the planet Jupiter, the spaceship Discovery is launched to determine who or what is to receive the signal. As Discovery races to Jupiter so starts a series of strange events between HAL, the ships AI computer and its astronauts. All is not what it seems to be, and as Discovery reaches Jupiter together with another Monolith, time is distorted, and human evolution takes a new turn.
2001: a space odyssey is considered by many to be one of the greatest science fiction films ever made. It’s also one of the more cinematic movies to be released by a major studio. Warner’s new restoration, presented here in 4K with HDR, offers the film looking better than ever before. This is not an action packed fast moving film with lots of eye candy and gut stirring audio. Younger viewers who are used to digital video capture may even find the imaging a little soft at times. Never the less, the movie is a great experience and a wonderful walk down memory lane providing some excellent images, a very enjoyable and worthwhile viewing experience and a look at the possible future of AI and space travel.
This is easily the single must-have 4K Ultra HD release of 2018 to add to your 4K library for prosperity.
