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DVD Review

Yet another example of a fine film, made into an average DVD.  All in all this DVD is unremarkable.  It's clarity, sharpness and color are the typical high-quality of most DVD transfers, but it does lack the vibrancy and crispness of later transfers.  A few film flecks are noticeable, but not nearly to the degree of the 2001 transfer.

Extras are minimal on this disc -- a bit disappointing for such a fine sci-fi classic.  Scene access is included as is a French audio track and three subtitle sets.  A 9-minute featurette is the only other bonus other than the 8-page booklet included in the case which has a cast-list and some trivia and history about the film.

Movie Review

2010: The Year We Make Contact is the sequel to the groundbreaking 2001: A Space Odyssey.  This film differs from the original in several ways -- most notably in the fact that it contains considerably more verbiage and is also more self-explanatory.

As the film opens, Dr. Heywood Floyd (returning from 2001, but now played by Roy Scheider) is contacted by a member of the Russian government.  As it turns out, 9 years after the first mission, both the Russian and U.S. governments are racing to build spacecraft to rendezvous with the Discovery 1 -- and the large monolith.   The Russian ship, however, is slated to reach the Discovery 1 nearly a year before the Discovery 2.  Since the Russian's need the American's knowledge about the previous mission, as well as the skill to restart HAL, a joint Russian-American space mission is prepared.

This mission not only provides the rebirth of HAL and the Discovery 1, but also reveals some surprises on Jupiter.  Ultimately, despite a worsening political situation on Earth, the Russian and American crews must work together in order to complete their mission and return to Earth.

More engaging and comprehensible than the first film, 2010 is more mainstream and quite enjoyable overall.  This film truly left me wanting more -- I would have very much liked to have seen a third sequel.