Movies

I suppose they wanted a voice that was recognizably human, but otherwise cold, rational, and dispassionate. Although even a character within the film itself lampshades this by pointing out the sense of pride he gets from HAL when HAL explains the fault-free history of the 9000 series computer.

Douglas Rain was a wonderful choice. And who could now imagine anyone else providing the voice for HAL?

Personally, I found the voice polite, cheerful, and companionable. And it reinforced my belief that HAL9000 was the hero, not the villain, of the film.