This film is truly poetry and imagination in motion.  Although it is a lengthy movie, and slow moving at first, you are well-rewarded with fantastic visuals (even for today), compelling music, and prophetic vision.  Few movies will have as lasting of an impact on you as 2001.

Fantastic in Cinerama. Very accurate in all respects. I must admit I had to buy the book to figure out the ending.

Other than the presence of the monolith on the Moon and then orbiting Jupiter, the movie was  very prophetic in what science advance is concerned. Clarke was a visionary and many of his predictions have come true. Communication satellites, space stations orbiting Earth, artificial gravity by means of centrifugal force, time delay in the interplanetary travels, artificial intelligence, etc. Excellent special effects for the time being. A classic.

A baby in a giant bubble..Come on!

For me this is the best Sci-fi movie ever, Kubrick was a stickler for accuracy, & this is what makes this film for me, I saw this when it first came out in Cinerama, which also helped to convey the vastness of space & the loneliness which Dave Bowman must have felt when searching for his colleague who had just been killed by HAL. The whole point is space is vast & you cannot cross light years of distance in seconds as portrayed by so many space movies. The scene where Dave opens the outer air-lock door & blasts himself from the pod into the air-lock is good, you hear no sound at all untill the air pressure is restored to normal within the air-lock, this is the kind of attention to detail that makes this movie brilliant. OK the last minutes are hard to understand, but this is the fiction part, so why shouldn't he become immortal. Its worth watching 2010, the sequel, which does explain the reasons for HAL's mis-operation. I enjoyed the first Star wars, Alien, Terminator & the latest War of the worlds, but this film will always be number 1.

Too many hidden meanings and ambiguity. Then you have the part where you stare at flashing lights fot 9 minutes straight when that dude is going through the timerift near the end. I had to fast forward that part is was so bad. I'm sure this movie was a visual achievement for the 60's, but now its just a long boring mess

Landmark filmmaking in the sense of daring to bring to the screen Arthur Clarke's provocative futuristic vision. Only Kubrick would have been so adventurous. 'Space Odyssey' was meant to be fully appreciated on the Cinerama screen and, considering that the home theater was far in the future, it is not unlikely that Kubrick would have otherwise conceived it differently today. (Astronaut Bowman attempts to re-enter ship after rescuing from space body of fellow crewmember) DAVE BOWMAN: Do you read me, HAL? Computer HAL 2000: Affirmative, Dave, I read you. Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL. HAL 2000: I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that... BOWMAN: ...What are you talking about, HAL? HAL 2000: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it...I know you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen...although you took thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move... (Dave devises to reenter ship) HAL 2000: Just what do you think you're doing, Dave? BOWMAN: All right, HAL; I'll go in through the emergency airlock. HAL 2000: Without your space helmet, Dave, you're going to find that rather difficult. BOWMAN: HAL, I won't argue with you anymore! Open the doors! HAL 2000: Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye. (Dave reenters to discover that HAL has killed the rest of the crew) HAL: Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over... (Subsequently): HAL 2000 (contritely): I know I've made some very poor decisions recently; but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I've still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you... (After Dave shuts down HAL's brain functions) HAL 2000: I'm afraid. I'm afraid, Dave. Dave, my mind is going. I can feel it. I can feel it. My mind is going. There is no question about it. I can feel it. I can feel it. I can feel it. I'm a...fraid. (voice becomes mechanical) Good afternoon, gentlemen. I am a HAL 9000 computer. I became operational at the H.A.L. plant in Urbana, Illinois on the 12th of January 1992. My instructor was Mr. Langley, and he taught me to sing a song. If you'd like to hear it I can sing it for you. BOWMAN: Yes, I'd like to hear it, HAL. Sing it for me. HAL: It's called "Daisy" (continues song as he distorts and slows down). Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. I'm half crazy all for the love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage. But you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two... Masterful.

I thought this was so wonderful when it first came out in the 1960's. I was really anxious to see it as I was a great fan of the sci-fi genre. I took Martha to it and she thought it stunk. She wanted to leave early. I wanted to finish the flick. She left and I had to take a cab home! But I digress. A little reflection and introspection goes a long way to expose drivel for what it really is. I'll concede that it is good entertainment, and the HAL episode is really interesting. The end is so murky that it makes your head hurt, however.

I saw this film at the premier in 1968 on the wide cinerama screen- I was 16 years old. The film was stunningly presented- and was one of the most iconic films of the freaked out 1960s. 37 years later the film has not lost any of its original verve and the special effects are still incredible.

The begining and the end are a little on the bizzare side but every thing else is pretty good. Considering when it was made, the effects are outstanding and I am sure paved the way for some or our favorite sci fi movies. The acting is some what flat but H.A.L. steals the show, true classic Sci Fi. May go over some heads.

Watch it in fast forward. The story was very poorly conveyed. A very poor faximily of the book.

A great score and very strong in places, but frankly this is close to Kubrick's worst work.

Although the thought of passengers in space is cool, the film is boring, tedious and just plain unimaginative. Compared to the brilliance found in the various Star Trek incarnations, 2001 seems grounded in a sort of reality. Also, long portions of the film drag on without any humor, action, or dialogue. I just can't watch this film without getting sleepy.

A visually stunning movie.

A masterpiece. My favorite science-fiction and philosophy film ever (well, how many are there, really?) I presume everyone knows that if you add one to all the letters in "HAL" you get "IBM"... Kubrick's films are always full of subtleties like that. I see new things in this film every time I see it, and I have never tired of it. It has something of Moby Dick in its epic, heroic scale.

Many people think they are geniouses for "understanding" this movie. This is one of those movies that everyone seems to respect, though everyone hated it when it came out. Why do I like it? Because it's a weird, offbeat movie. That's why I like Kubrick's movies. This movie did make me think about what's out there, but no one understands it, least of all me. If you want to see a unique movie and don't have a problem with bright colors and monkeys beating up other monkeys, this could be the movie for you.

Ok Ok, I'm one of the few people who don't like this flick--but the truth is, its BORING. Its a boring movie, people. And that's the truth.

This movie is a good one to test how intelligent a person really is. Anyone who thinks this movie is too intellectual, too boring, too slow, or any other negative critique, is simply an idiot. Some religious people are probably turned off by the evolution idea. This is perhaps my 2nd most favorite movie ever made. It influenced Planet of the Apes, Star Wars, Close Encounters, Aliens, etc. in terms of technical achievement. It and Star Trek (orig. series) influenced the philosophical and intellectual tone of all sci-fi after it until Star Wars, such as Silent Running and Space 1999. All of it is great. I fell in love with the Dawn of Man sequence. It just floors me - it always feels like I'm really there witnessing our ancestors' daily struggles. I love how the Monolith can be interpreted in many ways - is it a symbol of our ingenuity? Is it a probe from an alien civilization? I love the final hyperspace sequence. At first I couldn't tell if it represented a mind trip or a physical trip. It's actually both. I love the Starchild and how it represents our past and future. That's what the movie is all about - where mankind came from, where we are, and where we're headed. If you think the middle section seems slow, it's because daily life IS slow, despite the technology around us. And we ARE becoming more machine-like, while our machines are becoming more life-like. It's happening all around us. I like the conspiracy of HAL's hidden agenda, and if you're observant, note the American flag, symbolizing America's predominance, during Dr. Heywood's briefing about absolute secrecy in the monolith's existence. You see the flag all the time in Kubrick's movies - in The Shining, it frames the scene of the man who explains the sordid history of the hotel to Nicholson. You see it in Full Metal Jacket and Strangelove too - seems to suggest Kubrick's disdain for the country, since he became an expatriate. Anyway, 2001 is not that difficult a movie. It's worth repeated viewing, but I guess some people will never see the truth in high art. 2001 is just about the most perfect movie I ever saw. I haven't even talked about the effects, because that's just too obvious. Another movie that knows what's up with music, light, and the moving image.

Confusing, irritating, absolutely no plot at all and annoying music. 90% of the time it was just abstract pictures and special effects with absolutely no meaning. The few interactions between the characters were boring and I still think they were the least worst parts of the movie. My sister went shopping right after the movie had begun and when she returned 2 hours later she asked me why it was still in the same place as when she left. To sum it up: There are surely better things to do with your time. Not even worth renting. People only praise it because they think it makes them look intellectual.

i have always found this film very interesting but have never been able to sit down and watch the whole thing through. most people consider it a classic and maybe their right guess i'll reserve judgment until i've watched the whole thing. the music however(the main theme especially) is unforgettable and people who havn't watched the film or seen it seem to know the flim it(the music) represents. outside of the star wars theme probabaly the most well know sci-fi theme ever. i think finding a younger audience(18and under )for this movie might be hard today because of the slow pacing, no sex,nudity and general lack of explosions and shootout/fights. this film is really a product of it's time(the late 60's)

# 2 on my list. Everyone else's more positive comments pretty much cover what I have to say for this movie.

very confusing, I had to watch it a bunch of times to get the story line, but once I did I loved this movie. only for smart people. kubrick has a way of doing that. the scariest movie I've ever seen and it wasn't a horror movie. not a feel good movie but I like that, it keeps you thinking(if you have sense enough to stay awake). great though.

Not a film to suit all tastes.Many (understandably)found it confusing and pretentious,and had difficulty identifying with the cast-its robot HAL does seem the most human character,while the dialogue is hardly exciting.Yet it is,i think,the most awe-inspiring English-language achievement in all of cinema.I will never forget the effect the first viewing had on me.It is monumental in its concept,scope and ambition,an unsurpassed visual experience- which is,surely,the essence of Film.The special effects are superlative(this was back in 1968!)and hugely influential,the set design staggering,the use of music inspired,the stargate sequence a dazzling "trip" to a wondrous new destiny.And there's the most famous,audacious single "cut" in film history.More appreciated outside America -it was the only film from the previous 30 years to make the top 10 in Sight and Sound's last major international poll,and has featured ever more strongly in others- it reaches for the stars,and continues to expand.See it on the big screen and be amazed.

Great movie! Somewhat confusing, though, unless you read the book. I can see why some people hate it, though. The only reason I unnderstand it is because I read the book.

Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece! That's all I gotta say!

The most important film of its genre. Completely changed the way science fiction movies were made, stunning visuals married to beautiful music. The performances match the pace of the film. Kubrick directs with supreme assurance.

I didn't even begin to understand "2001" until I read the book and watched it a few times. But it all came to me and I felt enlightened. A genius film once it makes sense.

An appalling film! May possibly have a strange appeal to "pseudo-intellectual" types, but has no soul. Sorry!

I only just saw this classic. There are better sci-fi movies thats for sure but the orchestral music (like star wars) makes this movie pretty cool

This film requires lots of patience. The end part gets better tho. It's a little difficult to catch up. Still, it's a classic.

Only watch this movie if you've already read the book (which is excellent). Otherwise, you will be lost. The movie covers all the basic plot areas of the book (with a few additions), but doesn't really flow well, and is very confusing (especially near the end when Dave finally encounters the alien craft).

Classic movie about the dangers of leaving space missions to bureaucrats. The script is awesome. The book made a wonderful movie.

An incredibly boring and anti-climactic flick, Space Odyssey does not live up to its reputation. Perhaps for cinematographic history it is interesting, but for everyday viewing enjoyment it falls far short. Suggest just passing this one by.

Watching this movie is analagous to listening to modernist classical music or observing a painting by Picasso. The film is a work of art and I find myself reflecting upon it occasionally. It works on the level of popular sci-fi and an exsistential puzzler.

The beginning is sort of slow, but it's a very bizarre movie, and the end more than makes up for it. The HAL segment is pretty good too. There's not much of a linear story, but that's OK by me.

Although this film requires a good attention span, it is well worth it. The implications of the symbolism are thought provoking. This one film deals with the essence of humanity; where did we came from, where are we going, what is our place in the universe. It is exciting; sometimes frightening and disturbing. The special effects were stupendous for it's time, they changed the standard for the sci-fi industry.

A classic. From the beginning to the end, you're absorbed in Kubrick's spell. The opening sequence alone is worth the rental price.

I hate to see how people praise this movie. Personally I think it's crap. Despite that it is Kubric's I don't see any reason for it to exist at all...

My name is Dave. The first time I ever saw 2001 I was with my friend David H and Dave K. I was trying acid for the first time, but they had it before. As soon as HAL started saying, "What are you doing Dave?" we all started freaking out. It was great.

it was a little confusing but it was good

Confusing! I had to read the books to figure out what the hell was going on.

2001 is on of the most extraordinary films of all time especially if you see it profected on the big screen w/ good sound.

Wow, what a powerful movie! The music still gives me chills.