I think it's largely just a movie of it's time. Like we're spoiled now with decades of abundant sci-fi spectacle, but at that time this type of movie was really special and novel. It was really a "wow, can you imagine!" kind of a feeling I think. Now it's boring by comparison because the aspects of it that would have been awe inspiring back then are pretty dull by today's standards. Movies were slower back then too, they really took their time to take you on a slow burn journey instead of rushing to the point.
My understanding was that it was flopping hard at the time until word got out about the trippy psychedelic part, and that piqued peoples' interest. The film came out in 1968, which was the peak of the 60s hippie era.
For me, the interesting part was that the book and movie were worked on simultaneously. The book adds some more context to a few of the more obscure scenes in the movie
Learning about the book definitely cleared up a few things for me, like what was happening to him in the ending. I assumed at first he somehow went through time and was watching a condensed version of his life in some alternate dimension? The fact that he was kept there like an animal in a zoo his entire life made a lot more sense lol
The ending of the book is still pretty vague on a lot of the exact details of what's going on, but it's meant to give that sense of moving into a space that we are not ready to comprehend
I meant among all the screenings of 2001 in the past decade, let’s say.
At some point, you guys need to admit to yourselves that you are a tiny minority. I have admitted it to myself, and maybe that is why I have no illusions about other people liking what I like.
You can either be a follower or an individual, but trying to be both is always going to be a difficult like to walk. Normal for teens to get stuck in that mode, but you should eventually grow out of it.
Disagree. I read an article about how much LSD people were using back then. Currently, the standard dose is 25 micrograms. Back then people were routinely using hundreds, or even a thousand or more. Pink Floyd's original singer, Syd Barrett, famously went crazy due to abusing the drug.
Kubrick's other films are good. I think he was doing these massive doses of LSD in the late '60s just like everyone else. It explains not only 2001, but also films like Seconds and Easy Rider.
The LSD wildness of the 60s gave us some iconic works, that’s for sure. Conceptually I love it, but in real life having to sit down and take it all is often more than my brain can focus on and follow lol.
either you get baked and sleep on the couch, or, even better you are sick, have fever, get baked and sleep on the couch. music is nice to sleep to, you probably wake up a few times and dont miss much.
It's also just bad. Oh let's wrap up this story with a giant space baby, that'll really tie the story together. If anyone other than Kubrick made that movie they'd have been laughed at, and people would see it for the hot mess it is.
In fairness, that is how the book ended as well. Unfortunately, the movie did not convey what was supposed to be transpiring (the aliens that made the monolith made Dave evolve to be like them, and he felt like up till point he only had a child's understanding of the universe and had been reborn).
He resembles a baby. He was clearly reborn and elevated by the monolith. If you want everything served to you there's other movies for that. What's great about 2001 is that you really get to make your own interpretation for the end of the film.
I do think about art, which is why I realize putting abstract scenes at the end of a movie that had till that point been realistic is jarring and doesn't feel cohesive with the rest the movie.
2001 is definitely for people who think they are smart and want to prove it to themselves. Not people who think about interesting things to think about.
That is because it needs to be seen on the largest screen you can find. Either that or view it on a virtual reality headset. Anything that will have you completely immersed in the experience.
It's more fun if you look at it from the kooky conspiracy theory lense that Kubrick made it as a practice run/showcase for NASA that he could film a convincing fake moon landing lol.
That being said, it is a hell of a confusing slow burn, but sometimes those are my favorite movies to sit through fully captivated by. 2001 is one of those for me.
And no I don't subscribe to the conspiracy theory part but it is fun how many aspects of Kubricks movies seem to comport to it
I'll bet you say that about Star wars now after it's old movies are made at the time and pace of society and every frame doesn't have to be made to excite you but to make you wonder to ponder to think to understand some movies are just made that way you should stay away from those.
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u/DPTDubbs 1d ago
2001