Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey is re-examined in a post-millennial context in this heavily researched, highly detailed study of the making of the landmark film. Its artistic and mythic pedigrees are of special interest. Kubrick and writer Arthur C. Clarke faced a number of challenges in producing an intelligent and innovative A-list movie in what--almost a decade before Star Wars--was considered a second-class genre, science fiction. The author explores the film's enigmatic storyline and offers a fresh perspective on several artistic elements such as production design, special effects and the use of music.