2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)

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.