An over-rated audio-visual assault

Rating: Null/10 (6 September 1999)

Yeah I know, it's one of the best movies and by one of the most important directors of all time. And I also know that as a film student, it's my duty to like it. Well sorry, I didn't. (No disrespect to the dearly departed Kubrick; this is just my humble opinion.)
Lucky me, I got to see 2001 in its entirety within a theatrical setting (ie. seated in a hard, uncomfortable chair with the sound at full blast but only one chance to take a bathroom break) for a film course I took last semester.
Now had I seen it in the comfort of my own home with the ability to turn down the sound or move about as I pleased, then maybe I would have been able to appreciate the film. Instead, I spent most of the 3 or so hours with my hands over my ears or my eyes squeezed shut wishing that someone would be kind enough to put me out of my misery. By the time I left the auditorium, I was nauseous and suffering from a splitting headache.
In addition, I can't imagine why past critics were so puzzled about the film's theme since its just about visually beaten into the audience within the first 20 minutes, which could have easily been reduced to five. Okay, okay. Technology bad. Tree pretty (inside joke). I get it already. Now can someone pass me an aspirin?