Thoughts on 2001 after 36 Years

Rating: 9/10 (13 November 2004)

I saw this film when it was first released in 1968, in a Cinerama theater. Both the film graphics and the Cinerama format blew me away (I also loved the classical music soundtrack). I'd have to say that I was clueless as to the meaning of the ending to the movie, though. I've finally gotten around to seeing 2001 again, a mere 36 spins of the earth around the sun later. I'm still amazed at the set designs in this film. Incredible graphics engineering. And the "plot" is still not an easy one to fully appreciate (I still need to get around to reading Clarke's book!) What I take from the movie is the viewpoint that mankind took a quantum leap millions of years ago when, as only monkeys, it came in contact with the monolith (knowledge? God?)and learned how to use tools. We jump immediately to the "future" (at least it was the future in 1968!) and find technically-superior man has now discovered the mysterious monolith on the moon. The subsequent journey to Jupiter presents the opportunity for man's own tools (HAL-9000) to utterly betray mankind. The viewer finds out that HAL already knew the purpose of the Jupiter expedition, in which an extraterrestrial intelligence could imply the end of the newfound superiority of machines over mankind (we view the scene in which HAL easily defeats Dave in a chess match - I think HAL is well aware of its superior powers over man). HAL has to exterminate this possibility, but ultimately fails due to man's supreme willpower to live (I guess). Dave is able to complete the journey beckoned by the monolith, and ultimately attains the next quantum leap, to a "star child" which I can only remotely guess as to what that really means. Then again, I could be totally wrong about all this, but the movie is a great classic. Enjoy.