Does any one "get" the opening to 2001 A Space Odyssey?

[IdesOmarch]

The long 20 minute or so monkey scene in the beginning. Or was this just a acid trip Stanley Kubrick was on at the time? I mean I kind of understand that this scene is supposed to put your mind set kind of in the beginning of time, this is supposed to be super ancient times, maybe millions of years ago that the obelisk dates back to that the monkeys find. But is there anything else? Anyone else think this scene went on wayyyyyy too long to make that point? Or is there another point?

 

[Art 1]

The long 20 minute or so monkey scene in the beginning. Or was this just a acid trip Stanley Kubrick was on at the time? I mean I kind of understand that this scene is supposed to put your mind set kind of in the beginning of time, this is supposed to be super ancient times, maybe millions of years ago that the obelisk dates back to that the monkeys find. But is there anything else? Anyone else think this scene went on wayyyyyy too long to make that point? Or is there another point?

You can find the meaning on wikipedia.

 

[BellvilleDad]

I've always thought he meant to imply that the monolith imparted some evolutionary knowledge to the monkeys, enabling them to use the (bones? sticks?) as tools/weapons.

 

[IdesOmarch]

I've always thought he meant to imply that the monolith imparted some evolutionary knowledge to the monkeys, enabling them to use the (bones? sticks?) as tools/weapons.

I never thought of that.

 

[Diznotyzed]

I've always thought he meant to imply that the monolith imparted some evolutionary knowledge to the monkeys, enabling them to use the (bones? sticks?) as tools/weapons.

I agree, and then when life evolved enough from that "push" that the monolith was found on the moon (or other planet - it's been awhile since I've seen it) it gave them another "push" to start them towards the next level, symbolized by the space baby. The beginning does drag on, though.

 

[Diznygrl]

This video helped me understand some things better after I watched the movie. I recommend it to anyone who is confused by certain aspects of the film.

http://www.kubrick2001.com/

 

[Dan Murphy]

I always looked at the monolith as representing God, there before anything was, is everywhere and is there at the end. I thought the beginning ape setup was just fine, giving a setup flavor to the movie. I saw the movie when it came out in '68 at the movie theater, and was blown away by it. I have it now in Blu-ray and it is still stunning to watch, a masterpiece.

 

[rwdavis2]

I've always thought he meant to imply that the monolith imparted some evolutionary knowledge to the monkeys, enabling them to use the (bones? sticks?) as tools/weapons.

That was my take as well. IMHO it's one of the very few movies that correctly depicts conditions in space meaning since there is a vacuum you will hear no sound. On the other hand Armageddon is the absolute worst.
BD

 

[Geoff_M]

That was my take as well. IMHO it's one of the very few movies that correctly depicts conditions in space meaning since there is a vacuum you will hear no sound. On the other hand Armageddon is the absolute worst.
BD

It's also mind boggling how well the special effects have held up today in 2001.

Funny story about the film. My parents took me to see it when I was about 5 years old (must not have been able to get a sitter). As we walked out after it was over I asked my parents "What was happening at the end of the film?" They replied "We don't know." I got mad at them because I thought they were teasing me and just wouldn't tell me!

 

[136368]

It helps to read the book

 

[katesorad]

When I first saw 2001, I hated it. I was bored out of my mind and just wanted to understand everything better! Now, looking back I think it's an amazing film and I actually need to watch it again soon!

As others have said, I take the monolith to symbolize knowledge and the evolution of mankind.

 

[dejr_8]

It's a true story by the way (at least the beginning)

 

[Jennasis]

I've always thought he meant to imply that the monolith imparted some evolutionary knowledge to the monkeys, enabling them to use the (bones? sticks?) as tools/weapons.

DH (film major and Kubrick afficionado) agrees with this.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

The long 20 minute or so monkey scene in the beginning. Or was this just a acid trip Stanley Kubrick was on at the time? I mean I kind of understand that this scene is supposed to put your mind set kind of in the beginning of time, this is supposed to be super ancient times, maybe millions of years ago that the obelisk dates back to that the monkeys find. But is there anything else? Anyone else think this scene went on wayyyyyy too long to make that point? Or is there another point?

Considering that I read the book, (before the movie came out) yeah I get it.

classic science fiction.

moonwatcher becomes "enhanced" mentally by the monolith, and figures out several things that allow his tribe to not only survive, but to excel over other tribes. (use of weapons, fire, etc.)

just like the one on the moon (TMA-1) It was put there to guide whatever race was able to journey to their moon.

as with all movies that are taken from a book, a lot gets lost when making the movie.

 

[dejr_8]

Considering that I read the book, (before the movie came out) yeah I get it.

classic science fiction.

moonwatcher becomes "enhanced" mentally by the monolith, and figures out several things that allow his tribe to not only survive, but to excel over other tribes. (use of weapons, fire, etc.)

just like the one on the moon (TMA-1) It was put there to guide whatever race was able to journey to their moon.

as with all movies that are taken from a book, a lot gets lost when making the movie.

Actually wasn't TMA-1 a siren for the alien race that one of their seeds had sprouted?

I guess you could argue that since the TMA-1 beacon was aimed at Jupiter (Saturn in the book) it caused humans to travel to Jupiter and enter the wormhole.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Actually wasn't TMA-1 a siren for the alien race that one of their seeds had sprouted?

I guess you could argue that since the TMA-1 beacon was aimed at Jupiter (Saturn in the book) it caused humans to travel to Jupiter and enter the wormhole.

sort of, it was actually based on a short story call "the beacon" (or was it "the sentinal"?) if I remember right. he later expanded it to the space oddesy book.

I think the idea was that if (whatever) race was able to make it to the moon, they could follow the signal to where ever it went. (now I am gonna have to pull the book off the shelf and read it again!!)(actually got one of the first or second printing of it)

 

[dejr_8]

sort of, it was actually based on a short story call "the beacon" (or was it "the sentinal"?) if I remember right. he later expanded it to the space oddesy book.

I think the idea was that if (whatever) race was able to make it to the moon, they could follow the signal to where ever it went. (now I am gonna have to pull the book off the shelf and read it again!!)(actually got one of the first or second printing of it)

Did you ever read the Lost Worlds of 2001? It was an interesting read to see how the story evolved.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Did you ever read the Lost Worlds of 2001? It was an interesting read to see how the story evolved.

No, never read it.

I read the 2001 book in the 60's, before the movie came out. after that , I have read a large number of science fiction authors. and of course, short stories,etc.

 

[PaulaSB12]

It helps to read the book

Have you tried reading 3001?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It was based on a short story, The Sentinel, by Sir Arthur C. Clarke. He expanded it a lot (as well as making changes) for the movie. But in his book The Lost Worlds of 2001 he goes into a lot of detail.