When 2001, A Space Odyssey came out in 1968 it changed the face of Science Fiction movies. It was long and rambling. It was obscure. But it packed a hell of a punch. I can still remember the thrill of seeing it on an immense Cinerama screen. What made 2001 so special? A lot was about the stunning special effects. The whole look of 2001 was different. Spacecraft were no longer stretched versions of V2 rockets û they could be nobbly and interesting and above all HUGE if they were never to enter an atmosphere. Before 2001, science fiction films tended to be low budget thrillers. 2001 had budget coming out of its ears û an investment that was repaid in a $21M+ income, the biggest ever for a science fiction film until the super blockbusters of the next decade.