I remember reading as a kid that the theme of 2001 is that humans are the "missing link" between apes and civilized humans. That really helped me understand what's happening in the movie. That whole trippy ending with the bizarre visuals—it really helps to think about it as "something is happening but you can't comprehend it with your primitive brain."
KoreaMieville t1_iu3572n wrote
Reply to What do you think are hidden meanings in/behind Kubricks, 2001: A Space Oddysey? by lymeguy
I remember reading as a kid that the theme of 2001 is that humans are the "missing link" between apes and civilized humans. That really helped me understand what's happening in the movie. That whole trippy ending with the bizarre visuals—it really helps to think about it as "something is happening but you can't comprehend it with your primitive brain."