2001: A Space Odyssey

While this is one of the most confusing movies I have ever seen, the music added a lot to the plot. I first noticed the cliche space exploration music used at the beginning of the movie and at the end. This is probably the first time that it was ever used, but this movie has set the standard for its extensive use in future movies. The underscoring of transition from waltz-like music to menacing and mysterious, almost eerie music, to represent space, clues the viewers that space travel has no longer been just for pleasure, that there is a unknown and almost scary view of space now. The theremin is used throughout the movie to represent things that are "other-worldly" and it helps to establish a time and place for the viewer, time being the distant future, and place being the unexplored realms of space. While the existence of sequencing and certain leitmotifs, such as the one for the monolith, helps to clue the viewer into what was going on and keep them emotionally engaged, the lack of underscoring also helped to create intense suspense and anticipation. Throughout this film, music, and lack thereof, helps to further the plot of the movie and to greatly intensify the emotions and fear of the characters and situations.