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From: sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.movies,net.sf-lovers
Subject: 2010 review--non spoiler
Message-ID: <1193@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 10-Dec-84 01:30:39 EST
Article-I.D.: bbncca.1193
Posted: Mon Dec 10 01:30:39 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Dec-84 02:37:40 EST
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 31
Xref: watmath net.movies:5162 net.sf-lovers:5350

2001 was one of the few movies which was richer in allusion and subtlety
than the book.  Unfortunately, 2010, the movie, continues this seemingly
inexorable progress towards literal-mindedness.  It begins with a "computer
printout" summary of what "happened" in 2001 (just the facts, ma'am) worthy
of the 3 minute synopses which begin the episodes of made-for-TV
mini-series extravaganzas, and proceeds with some horrendous expository
dialogue for the next 40 minutes or so.  The characters here don't talk to
each other, they explain the background of the plot to the audience.  This
is static stuff, anti-cinematic really, and the director (what's his name,
who cares?) does nothing to help.

In fact, this movie really is TV quality: the characters are thinly
drawn--non-dimensional, perhaps.  The Soviets (you've all seen the plot
summaries, right?) are cold war zombies, and our hero Roy Scheider knows it
all, in the best US tradition.  As tensions increase on earth, with a war
brewing between the superpowers, things begin to "heat up" on Jupiter.
"Something wonderful is about to happen!" claims a resurrected Dave Bowman,
late of 2001, to Scheider.  Indeed!  If you gagged on "Close Encounters",
you'll choke on 2010.

There are a very few good scenes, especially those involving the
HAL 9000 computer and Chandra, HAL's programmer, but they do not
a movie make.

Many people have argued that 2010 should not be judged against 2001, one
of the most influential movies of all time.  Perhaps it IS an unfair
comparison, for 2010 is inferior in almost every respect.
-- 
/Steve Dyer
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