Are you supposed to get 2001: A Space Odyssey?

[lajpink]

Are you supposed to get 2001: A Space Odyssey?

[Demongirlie]

I have to say lajpink, I've seen it about 3 times and I still dont get it. Tho from some of the documentaries I've seen about Stanley Kubrick, he's very contrary and his films are supposed to make you think. I'll keep trying to watch it, fingers crossed one day I'll have the epiphany!

[KebabMeister]

Well, it's only the last 10 minutes that's a bit baffling :)

[lajpink]

thats the bit I mean! Everytime I watch it I think its suddenly going to hit me. But sadly no. Just need reassurance Im not completely stupid!

[Backdrifter]

I reckon it helps if you don't always think about films as having a goal or aim. One of the things I like about 2001 is that it's like a cinematic painting - it looks wonderful and conveys a general theme, rather than having a conventional beginning middle & end story. For me, the overall theme is rebirth - each time the monolith appears, the human race reinvents itself. I think that's what the foetus symbolises at the end. We think he's dying, he sees the monolith, and it signals another new beginning.

I think it's a mistake to view it with the expectation that you'll suddenly have some revelation. A good piece of artistic invention will invite different views on what it's about - I've just given my personal interpretation of it. Try to lose the idea that there's some hidden meaning you're missing, or that you're being thick, and instead just sit back and enjoy the ride. Maybe then you'll open up to my view of it or form one of your own.

On a side issue - what Dave does to get back on the ship when he finds himself locked out of the airlock is one of my favourite scenes ever, and I still can't work out how they achieved the visual effect but it's stunning.

[janeo]

Reading the book helps (a bit)

[gary baldy]

This has been asked before and i attempted to answer it (obviously baffles lots of people).

The monolith signifies an epoch in mankind.
When it first appears it heralds the dawn of Man, where we make the transition from beasts and learn how to use tools.

The second time it appears it marks humankind's movement to a higher state of consciousness where we become freed of the constraints of our physical form. Dave experiences this new dawn and the final frame, a foetus, is meant to represent the birth of this new era.

An Odyssey is a journey.

2001 shows Man's journey from beasts to a higher state via the condition we are in now and we sadly seemed to have been stuck here when the year 2001 came and went.

[Alibobs]

I went to see this when it first came out with my then boyfriend. He thought it was fantastic, I didn't get it at all...................needless to say he didn't become Mr alibobs

[Brooksy]

To fully understand the film you must read the book as Janeo says. Also, the sequels are quite good.

[delboy3]

Arthur C Clarke was once quoted to say, "If you understand 2001 completely, we failed. We wanted to raise far more questions than we answered."
So, if HE didn't get it, there's no chance for the rest of us!

[lajpink]

It is one of my favourite films and I always use to watch it for its visual enjoyment rather than anything else. I think I shall therefore blockout my questioning and carry on loving it for that

[KebabMeister]

I loved the visuals and even now I think it stands up well compared to more modern special effects films. The only thing that dates it are the costumes on the space station imo.