2001: A Space Odyssey is back! This great science-fiction film first came to cinemas in 1968. The director was Stanley Kubrick. It will open in cinemas around the world on March 7, 2001. ‘A wonderful film!’ people said in 1968. ‘No’, others said. ‘It’s the most boring film I’ve ever seen.’ What will modern audiences think?

The film took three years to make. It is based on a book called The Sentinel by Arthur C. Clarke, the science-fiction writer. The film is about space travel. But it is also about the history of man, and the fight between man and machines. A computer, HAL 9000 (voiced by Douglas Rain), takes control of a spaceship on a journey to Jupiter. It kills everybody except the commander – Dr David Bowman (played by Keir Dullea). He has to find a way to beat HAL.

Some people think the action of the film is too slow. There is not a lot of speaking. Also the ending is very difficult to understand. Some people want a lot of action and easy answers in a film. They don’t want silence and questions.

But others disagree. They say that the silence makes space more frightening and mysterious. The film has some of the best scenes in cinema history. The use of music is wonderful. The fight between Dr David Bowman and HAL is very exciting. Above all, the film makes people think.

Some of the special effects are still very good, even today. 2001: A Space Odyssey was the first big science-fiction film. Other films like Alien, and Independence Day owe a lot to Stanley Kubrick’s film. He was one of the greatest film directors in the world. 2001: A Space Odyssey is a very special film. It doesn’t have any famous film stars, but this only adds to its greatness. The real stars of the film are the emptiness of space, and the beauty of the music that fills its silence.

What will young people think of this 33-year-old film? A few months ago a magazine in America invited young people to watch the film in a cinema, not on video. The results were surprising. 72% of the young people said the film was ‘awesome’. Only 10% didn’t like it.

This year, from March, 2001: A Space Odyssey will be at a cinema near you. See it if you can. You’ll be surprised. This 33-year-old film will take you on a journey you will never forget.