Certain indivuduals will walk away from seeing this movie with a brooding disappointment in their mind, which is understandable, but at the same time, almost intollerable.

I feel that someone really needs to have an understanding of the journey that our mind goes through as we live our life. Without that understanding as a foundation, the movie simply comes accross as boring. An individual who has learned the importance of always pushing our minds to think further and beyond what is comfortable and conditioned to us will truly walk away from this film feeling euphoric and enlightened.

This is a science fiction movie, but I found it to be one of, if not, the most, spiritual film I have ever seen in my life.

Also…this was the very first movie to date which I have seen which depicts aliens in a ‘good light’. In every science fiction movie, or tv show we see aliens trying to destroy humankind, which is nothing more than transferance because that is what WE do as a species, it is US who destroys, or would destroy other civilizations if we came accross any. Instead, in 2001: A Space Oddesey we see an alien intelligence actually helping to enlighten our minds and allow us to delve deeper into our universe.

It is our destiny as an intelligent species to explore space. I hope that in our lifetime that will become a reality for every person on this planet.

I can see why you don’t like where 2001: A Space Odyssey heads after the intermission. For me, it’s the part I love the mot about the movie. Sometimes you just have to let things go and let some things remain unanswered. After all, you’re a computer you always want answers. Non answers just don’t compute with you.

Anyway, all kidding aside, not knowing the true origin of the Monolith (if you read any of the other books Arthur C. Clarke’s odyssey you’ll get some answers on the origins of the Monolith) is what I like about the book and movie. You’ll notice that the Monolith is present at spectacular moments in primate and human evolution. My guess is that it’s there to encourage humans to look for answers with no guarantee that they’ll ever be found. Then again, it could just be a plot device used to make the story move forward for the sake of moving forward.

As for what happens to the astronauts when the Monolith calls home? Well, I guess that’s best left up to our imagination. Maybe they die (afterall, it’s a top secret operation they’re on) or maybe their hearing is shot for the rest of their lives. Either way, word gets back to Earth and a mission is launched to Jupiter to find out what/who is chilling out in Jupiter.

I expected much, much more from a legend such as Kubric.