RR (makeup) (Group A): "Introductory reading for Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey" Robert Poole, in his article, "2001: A Space Odyssey ", explores how the film was put together, edited to get better responses from viewers and critics, and how our 1960s culture and politics influenced its making. Poole describes how Kubrick's ahead-of-its-time special effects set the stage for future science fiction films and inspired many. Poole offers his readers a summary of the film, describing how man evolved from ape to man who undertook space flight. Kubrick's film was not a great success at its first premiere. At a celebrity premiere, Kubrick recalls the shock of his initial exit, saying, "I have never seen such a restless audience... By the end of the film some were already leaving, and I will never forget my irritation at watching the sight of the Star Child's enormous eyes staring back at them as they walked up the corridors towards the exit” (CP 174). This did not stop Kubrick, who began editing more of the film and removing large portions of dialogue. What he had done had worked. And Poole writes: “2001 succeeded because it was (as Kubrick put it) 'a nonverbal experience,' or (in Clarke's words) 'a realistic myth'” (CP 174). The main demographic the film primarily spoke to were young people. Poole writes: “…Children love the film while their parents complain about its darkness” and “'You shouldn't understand it, you should watch it!' scolded a young man” (CP 172). And for hippies and Vietnam veterans it had acquired a cult status. They filled the cinemas with marijuana smoke and, according to Poole, had the “… psychedelic ‘last journey’ sequence” ( CP 172). Regardless of how... middle of paper..., according to Fry, “...Tells the story of the genesis of humanity, quite appropriately through the ironically presented visual suggestion of a post-Darwinian garden , an anti-Darwinian garden of Eden…” (CP 178). Fry also compares the opening scene to that of the biblical story of Cain and Able. “… Cain rose up against his brother Abel, ” and: "The shots that follow, however, show the figure of Cain triumphant, not marginalized, like the biblical Cain" (CP 181). This is also an “anti” example of the Bible. While Cain was marginalized and punished by God, the ape-man triumphed and his violence further aided his evolution. In conclusion, Fry and Poole provided excellent arguments for Kubrick's film. Even though I saw this movie several times as a child in the 70's and early 80's, the articles make me eager to see 2001 again. I look forward to this 'visual' story'.