Huh?

Rating: Null/10 (19 April 2004)

This morning I finally sat down and watched the entire film after having made several attempts in the past. Perhaps I am daft but I was completely confused by this film. The beginning was a bit odd, to say the least, but I could make some sense of it (if I tried hard). The end, however, left me scratching my head in wonderment. Yes, it is intriguing to ponder the possibility of life on earth having a celestial origin (other than the work of God that is). Unfortunately man's journey to discover its origins is the part that confused me. Where exactly did Dave go? How did he get from the pod to the bedroom? What is the meaning of him as an old man and then a dying man (who is enigmatically pointing at the very reason for the journey: the black monolith)? What happened to HAL to make him "mutiny"? I have the utmost respect for Arthur C. Clarke but I have to say that I haven't the vaguest idea why this movie is so popular. Geez, is it slow! The entire thing could have been told in 45 minutes had we not had to watch each and every sloth-like movement of the equipment and actors. Well, this is only one person's opinion...right?