2010: The Year We Make Contact is the rarely discussed
sequel to 2001 that was released in 1984. Contrary to popular belief, the
director received a blessing to make the film from both Stanley Kubrick and the
2001 and 2010 author, Arthur Clarke. The story this time is much more
straightforward with Dr. Floyd (the man who authorized the Jupiter Mission in
2001) and a small crew returning to the abandoned Discovery One to reactivate
HAL for scientific purposes. There is also a strong political overtone in this
film regarding Russian and US relations which makes the crew uneasy as there
are astronauts from both regions.
I would say I that I enjoyed this movie, but it is a bit
more clumsy in its execution than 2001. It is pretty much necessary to have
seen 2001 to understand all of the references and the main plot involving the
Discovery One. The pacing also feels like a strange combination of the faster
paced 80's sci-fi films and the plodding philosophical 60's sci-fi films. It
really aims to answer the questions presented in the first film and does
succeed with believable explanations. The biggest difference is a more plot
driven film that feels less like an art film and more like a product geared
towards an audience. It is worth a watch just to see Kier Dullea and Douglas
Rain reprise their roles as Dave and HAL. The special effects are hit and miss
with some amazing miniatures, but the recreation of the "floating
pen" effect from 2001 looks way worse even though it was filmed 16 years
after the original. My biggest complaint is the sound design as some effects
just sound cheap or are just irritating. I really only recommend this film if
you're itching for more 2001 or want feasible answers for the events in that
film. It just isn't as impactful or poetic as 2001 although it is a decent
attempt at a sequel.