In this blog post, I’ll examine Stanley Kubrick’s masterpieces—’2001: A Space Odyssey’, ‘A Clockwork Orange’, and ‘The Shining’—to explore how his directing style, mise-en-scène, music, and thematic vision have left their mark on film history.
I consider Stanley Kubrick to be one of the most representative filmmakers of the 20th century. I chose Stanley Kubrick’s films as the subject of this critique based on my personal feelings—for very personal reasons. In this post, I will attempt to offer a general critique of his body of work, focusing on the three Stanley Kubrick films I have selected.
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968) is a science fiction film that Kubrick spent four years completing, during a period when his tendency toward secrecy and reclusiveness grew stronger as time went on. This work combines a sense of wonder at the advancement of science and technology with philosophical questions about human existence, and it showcased a visual aesthetic so innovative that it is virtually unparalleled in the history of cinema. Combining reflections on space and time, human evolution, and the possibilities and dangers of artificial intelligence with grand spectacle, this film is still regarded today as a classic of science fiction cinema. Furthermore, the film reveals a chess-like approach to control, strategy, and the deliberate delivery of information—elements that would become defining characteristics of Kubrick’s subsequent films.
Kubrick also demonstrated an exceptional sensibility in his use of music. By incorporating a diverse range of compositions—from Richard Strauss’s ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ and Johann Strauss II’s ‘The Blue Danube’ to the contemporary works of György Ligeti—he maximized the mystery and awe of outer space. The harmony between outer space and classical music creates a modern yet futuristic atmosphere from the very beginning of the film. In addition, the special effects that make the film’s score even more captivating are also noteworthy. The film encompassed the full range of special effects technology available at the time, including intricate model photography, slit-scan techniques, and complex camera work. I believe the secret to its visual beauty—which still inspires awe even when compared to today’s digital effects—lies precisely in these innovative visual effects.
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ is also a film I gave up on watching three times. My first encounter with Stanley Kubrick was ‘A Clockwork Orange’, and I watched the film after reading the original novel first. Because the shock and fascination I felt from that film were so intense, my expectations for ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ naturally soared. However, this film proved to be a challenging watch for me. The opening sequence depicting the dawn of humanity, which lasts over 20 minutes; the scenes featuring apes; the spacecraft drifting through space; and the near-absence of dialogue combined with a score centered on classical music—all of this was both shocking and alien to me. As a result, I found myself pausing the film multiple times. But I simply couldn’t bring myself to give up on a film considered one of Stanley Kubrick’s greatest works. As a high school sophomore at the time, I had heard about the film’s reputation through various media outlets, which only piqued my interest further. I finally managed to watch it all the way through on my fourth attempt, because once I got past a few rough patches, the plot took a very intriguing turn. In particular, the appearance of the artificial intelligence computer HAL 9000 completely transforms the film’s atmosphere. HAL, which exudes an ominous aura, ultimately puts astronaut Dave Bowman in danger, maximizing the film’s tension.
Even though excellent sci-fi films like ‘Gravity’, ‘Interstellar’, and ‘The Martian’ have emerged today, I still consider the depiction of the spaceship and outer space in ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ to be among the best in cinematic history. Even though more than half a century has passed, the visual impact of this film remains powerful.
‘A Clockwork Orange’ paved the way for ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’. While reading the original novel, I focused on the political satire and the issue of free will that the work addresses. I was also deeply impressed by the fresh shock the story delivered. I was also surprised to see that the vision of a future society I had imagined while reading the novel was brought to life in the film as even more intense visual imagery. The first chapter of the original novel begins with the protagonist Alex’s question, “Well, what’s going to happen now?” and the story unfolds from his first-person perspective. The film effectively carries on this perspective by using Alex as the narrator and making extensive use of voice-over. This technique is exceptionally effective in imbuing the entire film with a cynical and satirical atmosphere.
The mise-en-scène—composed of futuristic interiors, unique color palettes, and distinctive props—captivates the audience’s gaze. These elements not only enhance the film’s immersive quality but also provide visual enjoyment. This demonstrates that Stanley Kubrick paid close attention not only to narrative and acting direction but also to art direction and spatial design. Furthermore, this film holds significant importance from a film history perspective. The use of the Dolby Noise Reduction System—the latest sound technology at the time—during production contributed to the advancement of film sound. Additionally, Kubrick utilized the soundtrack not merely as background music but as a key element in conveying the film’s themes and atmosphere. In ‘A Clockwork Orange’, classical music arranged by Wendy Carlos on a synthesizer creates a futuristic and ultra-modern atmosphere, further enhancing the film’s originality.
‘The Shining’ is another film that, despite being a horror movie, overwhelms the audience through its music. The film explores the inner world of a writer consumed by self-alienation and madness. The protagonist, Jack Torrance, becomes isolated in a remote hotel and gradually loses the boundary between reality and fantasy, eventually succumbing to destructive madness. Kubrick created his own unique world by ingeniously adapting Stephen King’s novel of the same name. In particular, Jack Nicholson’s deranged performance is still regarded as one of the most memorable performances in the history of horror films.
When I first watched this film, there were many parts I didn’t understand. Why is Jack Torrance going mad? What does the appearance of the two girls signify? On the surface, it could be understood as the process by which the isolation and psychological pressure felt by a person trapped in a closed space transform into madness. This alone is enough to create a strong sense of horror. However, the recurring allusions to American history and Native Americans throughout the film allow for a deeper interpretation. The hotel’s name, “Overlook,” carries the meanings of “to overlook” or “to turn a blind eye.” From this perspective, it is possible to interpret the film as symbolically revealing the historical issues that American society has long ignored.
Thus, the Overlook Hotel can be read as a metaphor for American society and history, transcending its role as a mere setting. This symbolism further complicates the process by which Jack Torrance is consumed by madness. Furthermore, not only the film’s narrative but also its use of music is highly impressive. As is always the case with Stanley Kubrick’s films, the soundtrack is not merely background music but a crucial element that dominates the film’s emotional tone. In ‘The Shining’, auditory horror has a more intense impact than visual horror. The music, with its dissonance and tension, amplifies the audience’s anxiety and leaves a lasting impression long after the film ends. For these reasons, I consider ‘The Shining’ to be one of the finest horror films I have ever seen.
