2001 A Space Odyssey: Movie Analysis

2001: A Space Odyssey

D. Clark Ragsdale Perhaps one of the most widely discussed films, 2001: A Space Odyssey contains 4 main “chapters” or subdivisions that are open to the viewer for interpretation. At the center, and playing a seemingly noteworthy role in the meaning of the movie, a large black monolith frequently appears before significant changes occur. After the apes encounter the entity they learn to use tools, which eventually leads to mankind exploring space millennia later. After encountering the subject once more, this time on the moon, mankind has developed computers and technology that can think, and they are able to travel to the outermost parts of the galaxy. Thus, after a principal viewing of the film, the monolith is often

From 2:06:09 until 2:06:37 we see three different views of the room in which Dave has landed. The room is large, immaculately clean, and seems to have no exits. While having a high-tech feel due to the light source being a lit tiled floor, the furniture seems very organic and elegant. The decorations are all renaissance styled classical art; symmetrical white sculptures of women with wine glasses in alcoves, four paintings in bays on the walls, and torch/lamp holders near the doorway. The feel of the room is oddly artificial yet the best aspects of the human race are present: Comfort, art, technology, and as seen later, luxurious clothing and great

Odysseus yearned for experiences that were “out of this world,” like hearing the sirens and visiting Hades, just like Bowman traveled to the edge of space and traveled through a wormhole to a different dimension. Kubrick, throughout the entire film, but especially in this last scene, desired to show us the same idea Homer did, and that is that man himself can’t evolve, he must travel beyond his natural sphere and experience things that will help him develop and