cwatson55

I'm an astronomy and space flight buff painfully aware of some of the impossibilities/implausibilities used to drive the film, and for those flaws can only rate it as an "8". But those complaints aside ... will I ever be closer to being in orbit? No. It felt as if I were. Surrounded by the infinity of space; the earth like a glittering jewel nearby; completely alone and unreachable; the pleasure of "swimming" through a spacecraft in microgravity ... it was overwhelming.

Clooney is well, Clooney - capable, calming, in control, bringing humor, sanity, and perspective to chaos. Bullock is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, bringing us into her world with her fears, uncertainties, terror, and past loss that haunts her present.

I've seen this three times in 3D (first time on an IMAX screen). GO see it before it leaves the big screen. You will not regret it.

When the first episode aired, I was entranced - right from the haunting music and images in the opening scene and credits. The quirky humor and offbeat characters just added to the fun. I thought we had a complex and gripping mystery on our hands. Unfortunately, as the first season progressed, Lynch kept throwing in more complexity in the form of red herrings and incomprehensible events. By the time the second season began, I felt that Lynch was just jerking the audience around for his own amusement. I gave up after two or three episodes in season 2.

Perhaps some people enjoy being made fun of; that's what it felt like to me, and I didn't like it. It's too bad that the promise of the first season, especially the first couple of episodes, wasn't fulfilled (IMHO).

This movie has turned into one of my "late night" favorites. If you can refrain from comparing it with 2001 and just watch it as a good sci-fi adventure story, there's plenty to offer. It's got a great cast, good dialog, and humor. It explains one big mystery from the first movie - why HAL went off the rails. Scheider is always fun to watch and has great chemistry with the rest of the cast. Yes, some of the special effects are a bit cheesy, but so what? This is the kind of movie that you can simply sit back and enjoy along with a big bowl of popcorn. That's rare these days, in which so many movies are star vehicles, serious "message films", or outright political rant, or have such absurd, illogical plot devices that you can't get past them (i.e., "Flight Plan").

This review was written on reflection of Roy Scheider's death. He was one of those actors that elevated any movie I ever saw him in. Rent this one and watch it to appreciate just how effortless he made it all look.

I'll echo the sentiments in (most of) the other comments. A quiet and deeply poignant movie that drew me in powerfully. Fonda's more recent movie, "Ulee's Gold", had much of the same feeling about it. Highly recommended, if you can find it.

Warning - slight spoilers included.

At the end of the film I felt sickened and upset. There's a difference between brutality which is implicit to a believable story and characters, and that which is thrown in for sheer shock value. This film crossed way over that line.

The acting was average, the script unbelievable, and the actions of the main characters often stupid. Harrison Ford's character is presented as a pretty smart, resourceful guy, but when he knocks out a terrorist in a fight, he not only fails to make sure he is secure, but leaves a loaded weapon behind with the terrorist. Ridiculous.

I cannot recommend the move, although I'll admit the special effects were quite impressive. That's about all it had going for it.

I'm not going to critique the movie, which admittedly has a number of weaknesses, but will compliment the performances of the cast, especially that of Edward G. Robinson. The relationship between Sol and Thorn is touching and believable. I never hear "The Morning" from the Peer Gynt Suite without thinking about Sol's final scene. See it for that alone - it's worth it. Joseph Cotten handled his brief appearance well, also, and brought dignity and sadness to a character that could have been completely forgettable, since he gets killed early on.