IMHO "2001" was the best science fiction movie ever. The original "Star Wars" (episode 4) was the best space fantasy movie for its time. I do not equate space fantasy with science fiction. As science fiction, "Star Wars" was pretty lame. The original "Star Trek" movie was okay but not great. The second half of the original "Star Trek" movie was barely watchable.

This recent movie "A.I." which was a Kubrick/Spielberg hybrid contains many elements of "2001". "A.I." was very thought provoking (particularly if one is a parent). However it was too unpleasant to be called entertaining. Some of the stuff grafted onto the movie's end was unfortunate (it did this weird metamorphosis from a serious Kubrick movie to an airy Spielberg flick).

I understand that the Hollywood culture doesn't really allow for serious science fiction movies. Movies like "Blade Runner" and "2001" happen by accident. However wouldn't it be nice if they could make "Ringworld" or "Forever War" into a quality movie. Sigh.... not in my lifetime.

Gary