I finally saw it this weekend. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and predict that 50 years from now it will be revered in the same way that Wizard of Oz is today.
If one judges the success of a film by the emotional impact it has on the viewer, this one is a winner. It was visually stunning, even discounting the extraordinary special effects, with a surreal quality that jolts the mind at a much deeper level then much of what is passed off as filmmaking today.
The movie is not without it's faults, though. At times it seemed to meander a bit without purpose, and some of the plot devices felt a bit contrived. It was also longer then necessary. But, IMO, none of that diminishes the profound beauty of the work.
It absolutely had a Kubrick flavor to it. Sad that he didn't live long enough for this to be his last hurrah, rather then that putrid piece of garbage, Eyes Wide Shut.
Russ, NCNE