2001: A Space Odyssey.Info

Third Eva and Beyond (Film Synopsis Part 14)

2010-02-10T19:33:00.000-08:00

The Story and Meanings

Note: I decided to not use my previous format of re-telling the story and then go into the meanings. This part of the film is elusive enough where you have to get into the meanings right away because the story is the meaning.

Humankind, represented by David Bowman, has overcome obstacles for 4 million years. The final obstacle was to demonstrate inventiveness and the will to survive against his own tools. We have come to the final chapter of the story. We have now reached Jupiter where lies the ultimate destination of the 4 million year odyssey. The third and final title reads: "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite". We hear the hum of Ligeti's Requiem and we know from past experience, that another monolith has been discovered. There it is, floating amongst the moons of Jupiter. Unlike its predecessors, this monolith is on its side, at least in respect to our viewing angle (in space, there is no up or down).

There is a shot of the Discovery approaching Jupiter with one of its moons to the left. As we have seen many times before, the three bodies form a triangle.

The Discovery moves towards Jupiter and we see the middle pod bay door open. We can assume there is only one working pod left since one was lost during the murder of Frank Poole and another had its door blown off and it's not clear what Bowman did with it. The pod containing Bowman heads toward the monolith which has floated off in alignment with Jupiter and several of its moons.

We have witnessed this scene before as we know to associate alignments in space with the monolith. Also, as before, a human (Bowman) goes out to "touch" the monolith. Also as before, the monolith performs its assigned task shortly after a human makes contact with it.

The first monolith tested early humans and when they proved themselves worthy, were rewarded with the knowledge of the use of tools. This sparked the first odyssey of using the tools to build a civilization that would ultimately lead them to outer space.

The second monolith was a test in that it required humans to have the drive and technology to find it. In proving themselves worthy by finding it, they were led on to a mission to Jupiter, the second odyssey.

The third monolith was also a test in that it had to be found. Humans had to prove themselves more worthy than their own machines. Now that that has happened, it will lead the human race on a new course by taking Bowman on the third odyssey across the universe itself.

As we see the monolith become a rectangular tunnel of light, we should realize we are only experiencing a portion of what is really happening. Witness the periodic flashes to David Bowman. He isn't witnessing a mere light show, he is experiencing something totally shocking to him and he can hardly bear to watch.

Notice the music has segued from Ligeti's Requiem to Atmospheres. This is the music we heard at the beginning of the film and at intermission. It's a further clue that this is the ultimate journey that the prior parts of the film have been leading to.

Suddenly all the doppler shifts in the music make sense as we emerge from the tunnel and into open space. Clusters of gas and nebulae dominate the screen. They seem to be creating stars and even galaxies. The scale of these in terms of space and time is spectacular if one knows much about astronomy. Note that the brief flashes back to Bowman no longer show his shocked face but just one eye.

The scale apparently gets smaller as we are now traveling above streams of purple gas. Ahead are five, make that, seven diamond-shaped objects. Clearly these aren't natural. Many say they are the beings that created the monolith and are who is controlling Bowman's trip. I disagree as I don't believe we are ever supposed to see who is behind all this. Remember, it could be an advanced alien race or it could be God. So perhaps the diamonds are others going through the same experience as Bowman, i.e. they are another race that has passed the three tests.

The scene changes again as we are flying at first under, then over landscapes. The scale seems to have shrunk again as we can recognize mountains, valleys and bodies of water. It's as if we are flying in an airplane. However, the bright, gaseous sky that makes the ground below glow in eerie colored light tells us we are nowhere near Earth. The journey ends as we focus on Bowman's eye again as the colors it reflects segue from red to green to violet to yellow to green to gold and finally to Dave's blue as they would appear in white light.

This whole trip raises many questions as to what this was all about. Explanations can be found in essays, reviews, articles, and from Clarke's novel. Clarke's novel explains the monolith as a stargate that transports one from one part of the universe to another - bypassing laws of relativity. Some have tried to explain the trip as the path a sperm cell takes on its way to the egg. There are some visuals that could support this explanation but I believe Kubrick intended it to be a mystery. Think of scale again. This time, in terms of time and evolution. The force behind the monolith is over 4 million years older than Man. Think of Australopithecus, 4 millions years ago encountering the Internet and trying to comprehend it. This would perhaps be similar to David Bowman or us trying to understand what was just experienced.

The next thing we see is odder, still. The Discovery pod is suddenly in a brightly lit suite. Remembering how white the inside of the spacestation and the Discovery was, we can determine that this is contemporary decor for 2001. (Bright white, sterile appearing rooms was a common perception of the future in the 1960's.) So this room is meant for Bowman and is something Bowman would find familiar.

Bowman's face has aged. He is shaking - apparently from the ordeal he had been going through. It could be an indication of him encountering God, similar to Moses in the Ten Commandments and how he aged after encountering God.

The display panels in the pod say "Non-Function". It is obvious that this suite is in a different part of the universe and all contact with Discovery is gone. Perhaps it is also years later as Bowman's appearance might indicate.

A red space suited Bowman is outside the pod standing in the room. We are seeing this from inside the pod meaning this is the shaking Bowman's point of view. Then the point of view changes to the Bowman outside the pod. He appears even more aged as his hair has greyed and there are more wrinkles. He is no longer shaking and appears calm, yet utterly mystified. As Bowman looks back, the pod is gone. Time seems to have jumped, but during that jump, there was a brief period where there were two Bowmans.

There are strange sounds. The suite which appeared out of nowhere may be floating above the brightly lit planet we saw earlier. The sounds may be the atmosphere surrounding the suite. They also may be from an intelligence that is watching Bowman.

Bowman walks slowly like an old man across the room to the bathroom. Kubrick fans know that a bathroom must be shown somewhere in the movie and we have already witnessed two other references to bathrooms, one by Floyd's daughter saying where Rachel is and secondly, the zero-gravity toilet on board the Aries. Bowman looks in the mirror and seems astonished at his appearance.

We hear a new sound, a tapping sound coming from the other side of the suite. Bowman turns to investigate. He pans around and we see several Renaissance-era paintings and sculptures. This would hardly be a Kubrick film if there wasn't at least one room with paintings. An old man clad in a blue robe with his back turned is eating. He hears the space suited Bowman and turns and rises to investigate. Here we see it is Bowman again. He is even older but calm as though he had been living in the suite for quite some time and is accustomed to the surroundings. He apparently doesn't see anything and resumes eating. Once again, a time jump has occurred, and like the previous one, there was a brief period where there were two Bowmans.

Bowman is eating a meal of meat, vegetables, and bread. This is essentially the same meal Floyd ate on the Aries through a straw and the same meal Poole and Bowman ate in synthetic form on the Discovery. Now the meal is in its "normal" form. Bowman is also drinking wine and a startling sound occurs when he accidentally knocks over the wine glass.

Both the wine glass and the Renaissance motif are clues as to what is happening. Breaking a wine glass after drinking from it is of course, a Jewish tradition in a wedding. A wedding of course, is a transition from one life to another. The artwork suggests a re-birth. It is odd that there is a second wine glass on the table. Perhaps this symbolizes that Bowman knows he is not alone.

Bowman looks up and lying on the bed is a very old man. From what we've already seen, we can guess that this is another time jump. This time, we briefly see both Bowmans in the same shot. Like the other two times, the previous Bowman is soon gone.

As Bowman lies, apparently near death, he lifts his head and points ahead. In front of him is now a monolith. The pointing finger reminds us of Michelangelo's The Creation where Adam has been created by God and is pointing at him. Then it is no longer the dying man Bowman, it is a translucent glowing baby on the bed. Also Sprach Zarathustra is heard for the third time as Man has transitioned to a higher form of life (Overman if you follow Nietzsche). The child passes through the monolith and appears over the Earth. The music climaxes as we realize this is the end of Man and a new beginning. The Blue Danube reprises as the closing credits appear.

Other Notes

It can truly be said that 2001: A Space Odyssey is the story of Man. It begins with Man's predecessor transitioning to Man and ends where Man transitions to something else.

The novel ends with the Starchild detonating an orbiting nuclear device. This symbolizes the Starchild having no use for his tools of old. The film might have ended this way but Kubrick felt it would be too similar an ending to his previous film Dr. Strangelove Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

Thinking of the novel's ending though, allows us to speculate what would have happened if Bowman had not defeated Hal. What if Hal was the lone survivor of the Discovery mission and encountered and went through the stargate? Hal would have been transformed in some way and returned to Earth. As the Starchild no longer had a need for his tools, Halchild would have had no further need of humans and probably would have destroyed them. Man's legacy would have been his tool.

In 1967, the moons of Jupiter, including the four large Galilean moons were seen as points of light from the most powerful telescopes. The Voyager missions in the late seventies finally revealed how the moons actually appeared. Therefore, it is uncanny how well the film held up. The bluish moon can easily be Europa and the pockmarked moon shown is very similar to Callisto.

To the Victor... (Film Synopsis Part 13)

2009-11-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

The Story

A fuming David Bowman marches from the emergency airlock to the main airlock, up the ladder and to the central computer room. Dave is now clad in full EVA gear with the front control box, air tank, and helmet. The helmet, which he obviously got from the emergency airlock is green - meaning he is in a color mismatched space suit. All we hear is breathing and the hiss of air flowing - not footsteps. This would indicate that the air has been removed from Discovery and we are only hearing what Dave hears.

As Dave moves through the airlock, Hal demands "Just what do you think you're doing Dave?" Dave ignores Hal as he continues. Considering what he has just been through, his intentions are obvious, he is going to disconnect Hal. His strong breathing and silence indicates he is focused and is not going to listen to Hal try to talk him out of it. Hal continues and tries to reassure Dave that whatever the problem was, it is gone now and everything will be as it was. Dave continues into the "Logic Memory Center", a red-lit chamber where Hal's physical components reside. There is no velcro floor here so Dave floats his way to the area where there are circuit modules that can be pulled out by turning a key.

One by one, Dave systematically turns the keys in the "Memory Terminal" section of the modules. Hal's reasonings turn into pleas. He repeatedly asks "Will you stop, Dave?" and states "I'm afraid." and "My mind is going - I can feel it." Dave continues on with removing modules in the "Logic Terminal". After a few of these have been pulled, Hal becomes dumb and is no longer aware of the situation. He reverts to his early days of training and speaks of his operational date of Jan. 12, 1992 and his first instructor, Mr. Langely. When he asks if he can sing a song, Dave finally breaks his silence and tells Hal to go on. Hal starts to sing "Daisy" as Dave continues to pull out logic modules until Hal's voice becomes slow and monotone, and eventually nothing.

At that point, Dave is startled by a new voice coming from behind him. He turns around and sees Dr. Heywood Floyd on a television screen. It is a pre-recorded message and was meant to play assuming all went well and they were in Jupiter-space and the entire crew had been revived. Floyd reveals that the true purpose of the mission to Jupiter was only fully known by the HAL 9000 computer. Floyd states that 18 months earlier, the first sign of intelligent life beyond Earth was discovered in the Moon's crater Tycho. He states that the object is 4 million years old and sent out an emission of radiation towards Jupiter.

Meanings

This scene, is the culmination of all the major events prior in the film. A major theme of 2001 is Man's relationship with his tools. In the beginning, Man discovers how to use tools in order to survive. Man successfully develops tools that take him from mere survival to thriving and dominating his environment. Tools allow Man to develop communication skills, live longer and more comfortably, and to explore and begin to understand better, the world and universe in which he lives.

However, as Man's developed more and better tools, he developed a dependence on them. This dependence led Man to take for granted, the struggle for survival. Man became so dependent on tools, he lost much of the inner drive that led him to create civilization and the exploration of space. Man's tools also inevitably become dangerous to Man's survival. Man's relationship with his tools is that of a balance between survival against forces in the universe on one side and survival against the inherent danger of his tools.

The struggle for Man to retain his mastership over his tools was the third test of the Intelligence that placed the monolith on the Earth and Moon. Hal, the tool, seemed to be superior to the human beings on Discovery in every way. Hal had an impeccable brain that could reason and calculate faster and more accurately than any human. Dave Bowman, the last surviving human found a way to expose Hal's one shortcoming. Hal was unable to conceptualize Dave's desperate attempt of re-entering Discovery via the manual airlock sans space helmet. Bowman proved his worthiness by daring this nearly impossible feat. It was this leap over logic that enabled Bowman to eventually defeat Hal. In defeating Hal, David Bowman, as a representative of the human race, passed the test and proved his worthiness to reach the ultimate destination.

We now know the screeching high-pitched sound that came from the monolith was a signal sent to Jupiter. The monolith directed the humans as to where to go next.

It is important to understand that had Dave not survived the conflict with Hal, Hal the tool would have solely reached the ultimate destination. The Discovery mission was ultimately going to have only one survivor - Man or Machine.

What is the ultimate destination? That's to come in the next chapter.

Poor David Bowman! He had to destroy the one companion he had left on the mission. Dave, being millions of miles from Earth, would be alone and isolated like no man before. Did Dave have any reservations about de-activating Hal? Symbolically, the red-green spacesuit he was wearing could indicate an internal conflict since the colors mean stop/go. Dave never responds to Hal's pleadings. Perhaps Dave knew he would have more trouble going through with the disconnection had he done so. However, notice how Dave doesn't turn every key in the memory terminal. He seemed to want to prolong Hal's ability to speak until the very end.

David Bowman leaves some of the modules from Hal's Memory Terminal
intact - prolonging Hal's ability to speak during the disconnection sequence.

Hal goes through anger, denial, rationalization, and finally, acceptance of his impending death - making Hal all the more seemingly human.

Hal mentions his own birthday of January 12, 1992, also giving him a more human quality. Interestingly, the novel cites Hal's birthday as January 12, 1997. Why did Kubrick change this?

In the film, humans die abruptly and silently, Hal's death is prolonged and tortuous.

Heywood Floyd puts all the pieces of the puzzle together when he says "...for security reasons of the highest importance, has been know on board during the mission only by your H-A-L 9000 computer." This statement sums up everything that went wrong with the mission. Hal was the only entity on the ship that knew everything - especially that the Discovery mission involved intelligent life off the Earth. Even the hibernating astronauts were not aware of the monolith on the Moon as Floyd discloses that information here. Hal knew, but was unable to reveal this to the humans - thus interfering with his directive of not "distorting" information.

"It's origin and purpose, still a total mystery." These are the last words spoken in the film. It has been said that not only does it describe the monolith, it describes the film as well.

Other Notes

In the novel, Hal had tried to kill Dave by opening the airlock doors while Dave was in the Discovery. Dave barely escapes being exposed to vacuum. Kubrick probably shot the disconnection sequence with the inside of the Discovery in vacuum. This explains why Dave is in full EVA gear.

Computer Malfunction (Film Synopsis Part 12)

2009-07-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

The Story

The sound of breathing and the view in space indicates a second EVA. When we see Bowman in the Discovery's command seat, we realize it is Frank Poole that is performing this one. Poole, we know, is out to replace the second AE-35 unit with the original, allegedly defective one. The yellow spacesuited Poole pushes himself out of the pod and floats toward the antenna complex just as Bowman had done earlier. At the point where Poole appears to be halfway between the pod and the antenna, the pod suddenly rotates one hundred and eighty degrees. The arms stretch outward and it begins to move forward. Here, we clearly see for the first time, that there is a red eye of Hal on the front of the pod. The breathing stops abruptly and Poole and the pod are seen spinning off in different directions. Poole frantically tries to re-attach his severed air hose. Seconds later, Poole is no longer moving as he had failed to fix his air supply.

Bowman has rushed to the pod bay. He asks Hal if he has a track on Poole's location. Hal responds affirmatively. Dave then asks Hal about what happened. Hal responds "I'm sorry Dave, I don't have enough information." Now, Dave is in a pod in pursuit of Frank's spinning body. Assuming that Frank was struck by the pod at nearly maximum velocity and considering that there is nothing in outer space to slow Frank's momentum, this will be a long chase. Dave has to use radar to follow Frank since he has drifted so far away, he can't be seen in the pod window. Dave eventually catches up to him and gently grabs him with the mechanical arms of the pod. Now Dave has to take the long trek back to Discovery.

The point of view changes to Hal back in the Discovery. He is focused upon the three men in hibernation and the monitors showing the status of their life support systems. An alarm goes off and we see a message flashing "Computer Malfunction". The life functions of Hunter, Kaminsky, and Kimball start to fail. There is no one on board the ship to do anything about it as we agonizingly watch the three men slowly die. The monitors show different parts of their life support flatlining. Occasionally, the view changes to that of the men. They are still asleep. There is no struggle or any sign of realization of what is happening to them. When they are dead, we see one of them and we realize that visibly, there is no difference between hibernation and death.

Bowman has returned. He does not yet know that he is the only human left alive on the mission. He asks Hal to open the pod bay doors so he can re-enter the Discovery. There is no response from Hal. Dave begins to repeatedly call Hal and there is no response. Finally, after many attempts at communication, Hal responds. Dave repeats his request for Hal to open the pod bay doors. Hal responds "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that." Dave asks Hal why and Hal responds that he can't allow Dave to jeopardize the mission. Hal tells Dave that he knew about the plans for disconnection. Dave fakes ignorance by responding "Where the hell did you get that idea, Hal?" but Hal reveals that he read his and Frank's lips earlier when they were together in the pod. Dave, realizing his dire situation, informs Hal that he can still get into the ship via the emergency airlock. Hal sarcastically tells Dave "Without your space helmet, Dave, you're going to find that rather difficult." Dave can only respond by pleading with Hal one more time to open the door. Hal informs Dave "This conversation can serve no purpose anymore, goodbye."

Dave futilely calls out to Hal but Hal stays true to his word and does not respond, thus, leaving Dave to die in the pod. Dave knows his only chance of survival is to get back to the ship and to do that will require every bit of resourcefulness he can muster. He first releases Frank, realizing it was a useless gesture to try to retrieve him. Dave aligns the pod with a tall, door-like opening of the Discovery. Using the mechanical arms of the pod, Dave opens the emergency airlock door. He systematically goes through the procedure of setting up the pod door, which we see from the wording on a sign, has explosive bolts. Dave has to expose himself to space by hurling himself into the manually-operated airlock and have the wherewithall to find and be able to close the airlock door within the few seconds of consciousness he will have. Dave winces as he moves into position. He pushes the final button to initiate the procedure.

Dave succeeds.

Meanings

It is odd that Dave was the first man to perform an EVA, but Frank is doing the second one. The novel had Frank perform both EVA's and even stated that although both were capable, Frank Poole was the designated crewmember for extra-vehicular activities. What was the purpose of having Dave Bowman perform the first one? The only answer I can come up with was to show the particularly methodical and careful nature of Dave.

In the earlier article, Discovery (Film Synopsis Part 7), I referred to the Discovery's pods as arms, keeping with the theme of Man's tools acting as replacements for body parts. It can also be argued that the pods serve as eyes. They do look like eyes with a large spherical body and the window appearing much like an iris. We now know that Hal has an eye in each pod, reinforcing this concept.

When Frank's air hose has been cut, we hear the utter silence of space. It's eerie, shocking, and unexpected. Note how this is similar to the death of the man-ape earlier. He too was struck and died without making a sound. Then you have the deaths of the other three men. Again, utter silence except for the hum of the Discovery. All the deaths in this film are quite chilling and the silence has much to do with that.

As mentioned several times before, we know that there is an outside intellligence involved in the story. This intelligence harmonizes with the universe significantly more than Man. One of the ways we know this is we've learned to associate 3-way cosmic alignments with it. Man-made tools don't naturally align. In fact, to even align a tool with just one object in space requires great effort. Witness the long docking process of the Orion and the space station, the Aries and the moonbase, the moonbus and the landing port, and now Dave tracking Frank's body. However, we also witness a scene where the pod appears to be aligned with the floating Frank Poole and the Discovery itself. This is shown just prior to Hal apparently taking control of the pod. Does this mean that Hal is more similar to the outside intelligence than Man?

For the first time, Dave acts rashly. Right after Frank is struck by the pod, Dave rushes to the pod bay and immediately orders Hal to prepare a pod. Contrast this with the careful, meticulous way Dave had acted before. We know that Dave was actually careless enough to not bring his space helmet along. This one mistake nearly cost him his life.

The real question is: Did Hal somehow know or calculate that Dave would forget his helmet? One interesting thought is this scene is much different than that of the novel. In the novel, Dave realizes he can't save Frank and never goes after him. Dave attempts to revive the hibernating crew and during the revival, Hal opens the airlock in an attempt to kill Dave and the hibernating men. Why did Stanley Kubrick change this scene? I believe one reason is he wanted to show another example of how Hal was inside Dave and Frank's heads.

This scene also represents how Hal planned on winning the chess match. With all options gone of convincing Frank and Dave that he was right and Mission Control was wrong, Hal had to kill the humans on the Discovery. This would alleviate the issue of concealing information and yet, the mission would continue as Hal was briefed and could fully carry out the mission functions. All would be okay in Hal's mind because he felt that killing the crew would ensure the best chance of accomplishing the mission.

Other Notes

There is an odd editing error in this sequence. As we see that it is a yellow-spacesuited Frank Poole performing the second EVA, there is a shot inside a pod showing a red spacesuited astronaut from behind wearing gloves and a helmet. Yet the very next shot shows red-suited Dave in the control room of Discovery without gloves or helmet so seemingly, it was not him in the previous shot. This seems like the type of continuity error that is common in films. The type that nobody notices the first time the film is seen. However, many Stanley Kubrick fans refuse to accept that Kubrick would ever let slip so obvious an error. Continuity errors in Kubrick films are often attributed to flash forwards or backwards that hint at a hidden theme or storyline. An example of this are the two earlier shots of the monolith aligning with two eclipsing heavenly bodies. Is this the case here?

When working out the action of this scene, Arthur C. Clarke expressed worry concerning Bowman being exposed to vacuum. It was unknown at the time how a human would react. This worried Kubrick enough to cause him to pose the question to NASA scientists. Kubrick and Clarke were assured that it was possible to survive and stay conscious in space for a long enough time to make the scene plausible.

Intermission (Film Synopsis Part 11)

2009-05-25T15:47:00.000-07:00

The Story

The background hum of Discovery resonates as the screen goes to black leaving a cliffhanger for the audience to ponder. They'll have time too as the film goes to intermission. As mentioned in The Film Begins, Stanley Kubrick maintained the general format of a typical MGM movie. Here, he gave us the intermission. Usually, intermission comes a bit past the midway point of the film where all the characters and plot lines are firmly set. This is the case here. Now the audience gets a breather and can take a bathroom break or take the opportunity to get more popcorn. There is also opportunity to digest the events that led up to this point and think about where this is going. For first-time viewers of 2001, very few will make the connections of how the Cold War and concern for security and secrecy are contributing to the drama at hand. However, many may think about what Hal is really up to and how Frank and Dave, having such limited capabilities against such a seemingly omniscient computer, can handle the situation.

An anxious audience waits for the film to continue and reveal how the drama will be played out. The curtains open and again, we get a blank screen. Again, a piece of Ligeti's Atmospheres plays. The drama will have to wait.

Meanings

Kubrick has a little fun at the expense of the audience here. The conflict between computer and the two humans is by far, the most palpable drama in the entire film and the intermission and return of the black screen and eerie music prolongs the anticipation of the resolution of the drama.

The intermission also reminds us that what we've been emotionally wrapped up in is just a small piece of the big picture. There are many themes at work here involving Man's place in the universe, Man's odyssey through evolution, God and the Intelligence that is driving humans to explore space. Ligeti's Atmospheres and the black screen remind us of the journey - inside and out that we are taking.

Other Notes

This part of the film provides many of the most memorable and quotable scenes since, unlike other parts of the film, it has a conventional narrative. The whole Mission to Jupiter chapter of 2001 is actually a self-contained story. In this regard, it is also the most understandable and easiest part of the film to relate to. Some people fail to connect this with the man-apes, the trip to the Moon, and the part of the story afterwards. This is why some seem to think of 2001 as a collection of stories rather than one large one. Often, people who find the film "boring", actually like this part and hated the rest.

Puzzling (Film Synopsis Part 10)

2009-02-09T22:14:00.000-08:00

The Story

In the pod bay, Dave is examining the retrieved AE-35 unit with an electronic circuit tester. Frank and Hal watch. Dave appears to be completely absorbed in his examination. Frank is hunched over and appears to be watching Dave but he noticeably moves his eyes and stares at Hal. The testing goes on and all we hear is the sound of the testing equipment against the hum that is always present on board the Discovery. There is a noticeable sigh and then Dave finally breaks the silence with "Well Hal, I'm damned if I can find anything wrong with it." Hal responds "Yes...It's puzzling...I don't think I've seen anything quite like this before." Hal then suggests putting the unit back to let it fail and diagnose it after that. He then mentions that they could afford to be out of communication for the short while.

In the centrifuge, Frank and Dave are watching a transmission from Mission Control. They agree with Hal's suggestion of putting the original AE-35 unit back in place. Then a bombshell is dropped. The Mission Control man informs Frank and Dave that Hal may have been in error predicting the fault. This assertion is backed up by the findings of a twin 9000 series computer back on Earth.

When the transmission ends, there is a brief but awkward silence that is broken by Hal. "I hope the two of you are not concerned about this?" Dave responds by questioning Hal's explanation for the discrepancy between the two 9000 series computers. Hal responds with it being "human error". Frank then takes over the questioning. He asks for assurance from Hal that there has never been an error in the 9000 series. Hal reminds him that the 9000 series has a perfect operational record. Frank, obviously not satisfied, asks if there has ever been any incidence of the most insignificant computer error. An obviously annoyed Hal responds "None, whatsoever Frank. Quite honestly, I wouldn't worry myself about that." Was this a veiled threat? Frank's expression indicates he took it that way. Dave interjects, knowing that Frank challenging Hal could not possibly solve anything. He assures Hal that everything is fine. He also asks Frank if he can check out a problem he is having with one of the pods.

It is obvious that Dave wants to talk to Frank alone without Hal being able to listen. The two men get into a pod, rotate it, then turn off all the audio switches. When they are satisfied that Hal cannot hear them, they proceed to discuss their situation. Dave seems ambivalent but Frank makes his point clear. He is very uncomfortable about Hal. So uncomfortable in fact that he completely dismisses Dave's acknowledgement of the 9000 series' perfect operational record. Dave reluctantly sees Frank's point of view and reasons that if the AE-35 unit, once put back in place, doesn't fail as Hal predicted, then Hal would have to have his higher brain functions disconnected. Dave openly ponders about what Hal would think about this.

The scene shifts to Hal's point of view where it is apparent that Hal can't hear Frank or Dave, but is able to see them through the pod's window and read their lips. Hal knows what they're up to.

Meanings

Mission Control has no appreciation for what Frank and Dave are going through. To them, it's a faulty computer, to Frank and Dave, it's more like a sick member of the crew who may have to be terminated. Mission Control just blurts out the possibility that Hal had erred - leaving Frank and Dave in the uncomfortable position of having to deal with Hal who had just been openly accused. The isolation due to distance and non-direct communication created a void between Earth and Discovery.

There is a lot of dishonesty displayed in this part of the film. Hal calls the situation "puzzling" but listen to how he says it. Up until now, everything Hal has said has been with a noticeable confidence. This confidence was even noted by Mr. Raynor, the BBC interviewer. For the first time, Hal is hesitant. We already know that Hal knew the AE-35 unit was functional and Hal had intentionally reported it as faulty. This means his puzzlement is an act. He also says "We can certainly afford to be out of communication for the short time it will take to replace it." With the hesitation in his voice, he sounds like a misbehaving child rationalizing with his parents in order to get his way. If a child "accidentally" broke his parent's car window, he might say "I'm sorry, I guess I won't be able to go to the Doctor today." Of course, losing communication with Earth is exactly what Hal wants.

Also notice Hal's emphasis when saying "human error" - he even repeats it. Hal is right, of course, it is the short-sightedness of humans that created the paradox in Hal's mind. Hal's emphasis on the word "human" indicates a hint of anger. Just as Hal is being accused, Hal is obliquely accusing his accusers.

This scene contains a classic Kubrick three-way conversation with tension.

Dave and Frank attempt to deceive Hal by play-acting the problem with the pod. Frank, like Hal, is a poor actor as his "What sort of trouble have you been having, Dave?" query is hardly convincing. Did it fool Hal at all?

We learn a lot more about Frank and Dave here. Frank is more obvious about his feelings. Frank, from the circuit test onwards, has lost faith in Hal and his facial expressions show this. Frank looks at Dave after Hal attributes the discrepancy to human error. When Dave appears satisfied with the answer, Frank jumps in with his own and much more direct line of questioning. He confronts Hal and tries to get Hal to reveal that he made a mistake. Frank would have to be an extremely intelligent person to have been selected for this mission but he lacks diplomacy skills.

Dave, on the other hand, is a much more complex character. He shows finesse in getting a response out of Hal without accusation. He does a good job of diffusing the building conflict between Frank and Hal. Dave is willing to see both sides and doesn't reveal what he is truly feeling until he has to. He is the only one of the two who considers how Hal might react to being disconnected. We already know that Dave is the mission commander but it is here where we see his leadership qualities.

This whole scenario can be seen as one big chess match (See The Chess Match and EVA). Hal has to solve his dilemma. He can solve it by cutting off communication with Earth by convincing Frank and Dave of a faulty antenna controller. If the antenna wasn't working, then this would be an emergency situation and Hal would have to disclose to Frank and Dave what the mission was all about - thus ending Hal's paradox.

To do this requires a series of steps (or chess moves if you will). Each step Hal takes depends upon how the humans (his opponent) react to his previous move. I already surmised that had Dave reacted differently when Hal was questioning him about the "extremely odd things about the mission", the whole faulty AE-35 scenario may not have taken place. What if Dave had accepted the fact that the AE-35 unit was faulty and didn't bother to test it or if Dave had assumed Hal was right and he had somehow missed finding the fault with his equipment? None of this state of mutual accusation would have occurred and Hal would be nearer to achieving his goal peaceably.

Unfortunately, Frank and Dave were thorough astronauts and came to the conclusion that Hal is a possible danger to them. Unfortunately, neither one of them realizes Hal's motive in suggesting another EVA. Hal's hand has been forced. Hal is staying a step ahead. Hal is winning the chess match.

EVA (Film Synopsis Part 9)

2008-11-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

The Story

"During the past few weeks, I've wondered if you might be having some second thoughts about the mission." Hal informs this to Dave Bowman. Hal goes on to point out there are some "extremely odd things about this mission". Hal gives specific references to rumors about something being dug up on the Moon, the tight security during training, how the other astronauts (Hunter, Kimble, and Kaminski) were trained separately, and how they were placed aboard Discovery already in hibernation. Dave appears thoughtful during all this and concludes that Hal had opened the conversation in order to work on the crew psychology report. Hal admits that was what he was doing. Before he can say much more, he reports to Dave that he detects a fault in the AE-35 unit.

The conversation is forgotten as a faulty AE-35 unit is serious. From the computer displays, we can see it has something to do with the antenna complex that allows communication with Earth. Since the complex is on the exterior of the ship, an EVA (extra-vehicular activity) would have to be performed. Both Frank and Dave go through the preparatory steps for the EVA which includes a brief message from mission control confirming the need for the EVA. The preparation also means leaving the artificial gravity of the centrifuge and working in the weightless parts of the ship including the front control area and the pod bay.

In the pod bay, which also functions as an airlock, a red-space suited Dave has Hal prepare one of the 3 pods. The pod slowly extends away from the Discovery on a platform before Dave takes off making the pod an independent spacecraft. We see two asteroids whiz by - indicating that the Discovery is most likely in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. During all of this, all we hear is Dave breathing and a hissing sound - presumably from an air hose in Dave's suit. The pod slowly approaches the antenna and stops. The rest of the EVA will be a spacewalk as Dave pushes himself outward and floats toward the antenna.

Once at the antenna, Dave retrieves a small black box - the replacement AE-35 unit. He then opens a small hatch and pulls out the defective unit. No more of the EVA is shown but it can be assumed that it went successfully.

Meanings

Note the meticulousness of the entire EVA, everything is done so carefully. Even a routine repair such as this is taken very seriously. Every procedure must be checked and re-checked.

In Hal's conversation with David Bowman, we learn that the Discovery mission has something to do with the monolith found on the Moon.

When the group of primitive men defeated the rival group at the water hole, it can be assumed that the defeated group quickly figured out the use of the bone-club. Over the millennia, humans learned to keep their secrets and prevent their rivals from obtaining their technology. In the midst of the Cold War, Heywood Floyd makes a solo trip all the way to the Moon with the primary purpose of ensuring a potentially powerful discovery remains a secret. A conference of scientists is held, not to discuss a scientific discovery, but to discuss why its important not to disclose it. To fearful humans, security is that important since no one was sure what the monolith was or what it was capable of doing.

Since the Discovery mission is related to the Moon discovery, the security concerning the mission must have been extreme. Hal mentions how the three other astronauts were trained separately from Dave and Frank. Not only that, the other three astronauts were placed aboard the Discovery already in hibernation. They must have known more about the true nature of the mission than Frank and Dave. Because they are in hibernation, the information could not be leaked - intentionally or accidentally to Frank and Dave. This is important since Frank and Dave are public figures.

This security continues with Hal. Since Hal is in control of all operations on the ship. It was necessary to inform Hal of the purpose of the mission in case the human crew became incapacitated. Hal possesses this information but Frank and Dave do not.

This scenario presents Hal with a paradox. Hal earlier had said "No 9000 computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information. We are all, by any practical definition of the words, foolproof and incapable of error." Hal, by concealing information is in a way, distorting information. The security that he had been told is so vital to the mission is endangering his perfect track record. The longer he continues this deception, the more the risk of his breaking his most sacred priority.

Hal must do something to correct this, but how? If he disclosed the information, that in itself would be an error so he can't go that route. From the earlier chess game, we know that Hal is capable of thinking ahead and is able to predict the behavior of human beings. Hal makes the first move. He probes David Bowman to find out what he knows. Hal attempts to provoke a response by giving him clues. Perhaps Bowman has already guessed the mission's true purpose. If that's true, then Hal can be at ease that he isn't hiding anything.

Notice how Dave reacts when Hal mentions the something dug up on the Moon and the security precautions. We don't know much about Dave yet but as the film proceeds, we will learn that Dave is very careful and shrewd. Dave probably has deduced why he is on a mission to Jupiter. When Hal poses questions about his second thoughts about the mission, Dave is questioning to himself why Hal is asking this. Unfortunately, Dave remains discreet because he wrongfully concludes that Hal is working on the crew psychology report. That being the case, Dave mistakenly believes that Hal is testing him and it would be proper not to reveal anything.

Had Dave said something to the effect of "Hal, I know what you are getting at and Frank and I know what's going on." Everything would have been fine. However, Dave's non- response forces Hal to go to the next step. Hal fudges up a report of a faulty AE-35 unit - the hardware that keeps the antenna complex pointed to Earth.

Hal, in lying, is obviously committing an error. In Hal's mind, it is an error to fix another error and thus, cancels them both out. Hal may have a superior brain but his reasoning is more that of a child.

Why did Hal make up the fault of the AE-35 unit? The answer is in the following chapters.

Other Notes

This is one part of the film where different fans make very different interpretations. Let me go over some of them here.

Many 2001 fans say that David Bowman was too bored or brain-numb to understand what Hal is getting at. I simply don't accept this. Dave (and for that matter, Frank) is too intelligent to not have heard the rumors and not at least considered that it may have something to do with the mission. Dave, in not confirming Hal's suggestions, was being discreet, not stupid.

Many fans argue that Hal made a mistake in predicting the fault in the AE-35 unit. I strongly disagree. Future events support my belief that Hal called it faulty while knowing that it wasn't.

Many also question why David Bowman was able to walk in the pod bay that contains no gravity. They apparently did not notice the velcro walkways. Notice how carefully Dave walks.

The Chess Match (Film Synopsis Part 8)

2008-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Story

The Gayane Ballet Suite resumes as the film focuses on Frank Poole. Frank is lying on a table with protective shades, apparently trying to get a tan. Hal announces that a transmission from his parents has been received.

Frank's mother and father appear on the video screen. They briefly talk about finances and other personal stuff. They wish him a happy birthday and quickly sign off. Frank barely stirs through the whole message. He can't respond since, as mentioned before, transmissions take minutes to cross the gulf of space to reach the Discovery and of course, any reply would take just as long.

We next see the end of a chess game between Frank and Hal. After an exchange of moves, Hal points out to Frank that his next move will lead to a checkmate. Frank resigns the game.

We now focus upon Dave Bowman. He is drawing sketches of the three men in hibernation when Hal calls him. Hal wants to look at his drawings. Upon reviewing them, he wants to ask Dave a personal question.

Little does Dave know but another chess game has begun.

Meanings

It is evident that both Frank and Dave have considerable amounts of free time. It is also apparent that the two men are awake at alternate times and are perhaps together only at the meal. Notice that Frank was wearing a robe while Dave was in uniform at the meal. This would add to the sense of isolation as each man spends most of his time alone. What effect does such isolation have? Note the oddity that Frank is trying to get a tan. What's the point of that?

The message from his parents seems to barely interest Frank. He is more interested in his own personal comfort. Both mother and father ramble on about mundane, earthbound stuff that Frank can't really relate to anymore. Isolation has distanced him from his loved ones beyond that of the physical distance.

The sad Gayane Ballet Suite echoes the sense of isolation.

Note that as in the case with Heywood Floyd, Frank is an American with a relative who speaks with a British accent (his father).

Note also, that as in the video conversation with Floyd, it is somebody's birthday.

There is a lot to the brief chess match. First of all, many of the Frank's pieces are still in their original place so it appears he is on the defensive. Secondly, notice that after Poole moves his rook away from his king, Hal is able to predict the outcome - a checkmate.

The chessboard configuration where Hal made his prediction that Frank would make the losing move of capturing his queen.

In being able to predict what Frank will do next, Hal is demonstrating the heuristics aspect of his brain. A purely algorithmic computer, as we know them, would not be able to use prior behavior to estimate future behavior. Hal obviously can.

If Hal is as adept heuristically as he obviously is algorithmically, his mind would seem to be clearly superior to that of Man's. Has man made a tool that is completely superior to him?

Hal can appraise Dave's artwork. This reveals more of his heuristic ability. One must have experience to judge the quality of art. Note how he remarks that Dave has "improved". How could a computer make this kind of judgment?

Other Notes

The chess game shown is from an actual chess game played in 1913. In How Hal Plays Chess, we learn that Stanley Kubrick, a very good chess player himself, chose this game particularly because it requires a clever sacrifice of the queen to win.

Discovery (Film Synopsis Part 7)

2008-05-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

The Story

After being un-nerved by the loud blast of TMA-1, we are treated to the gentle-sounding Gayane Ballet Suite. We are greeted with the title "Jupiter Mission 18 Months Later". We see a large spaceship with a spherical front, a long, spine-like middle, and 6 large exhausts in the rear. There is an antenna complex on top about halfway between the front and the back. There are three round openings in the front and a long slit of windows above them. After a good look at the exterior, we are shown the living area of the interior. It consists of a cylindrical room with a walkway going all the way around. We see a lone man jogging completely around the cylinder. The room is a sort of centrifuge - continuously rotating, thus, creating a simulated gravity along the walkway. This is the same principle the space station used.

There are two men. The first one is the one jogging and shadowboxing around the centrifuge. The second comes out of the center hub carefully "down" a ladder. In a centrifuge, there would be no gravity at the hub so as the man goes "down" the ladder, the gravity increases. Eventually, we find the two men eating and watching a BBC show. It is here where we learn a lot more.

From the TV interview, we learn the two men are Dr. Frank Poole and Mission Commander Dr. David Bowman. There are three other men in hibernation and will be awoken when the spaceship Discovery reaches Jupiter. We also learn about the 9000 series computer that runs all the systems of the ship. He is referred to as HAL and is considered to be the sixth member. After a question concerning the reasons for hibernation - which of course, are for the conservation of food and air, the remaining questions concern HAL. Here we learn that HAL is responsible for just about everything on the ship and how the 9000 series of computers have perfect operation records and have never made a mistake or distorted information. HAL even goes on to say that he is foolproof and incapable of error.

Meanings

At this point, no explanation is given as to why there is a manned mission to Jupiter. It is a key to later events in the film.

Previously, we had seen ships that resembled parts of human anatomy. The Discovery resembles an entire living creature. It has a head (the centrifuge), three eyes (the windows), three mouths (the pod bay doors), three arms (the three pods that we haven't seen yet), three ears (the antenna complex), three legs (the exhaust ports). This suggests that Discovery, in having appendages in threes as opposed to a human's two, is superior to a human being. Discovery's brain (HAL) is superior to Man's.

Discovery is a tool. We already know from earlier that the more advanced and useful a tool, the more potentially dangerous it is as well. We already know that it essentially displaces the men on the ship, making them unnecessary and expendable.

Author Leonard Wheat suggests that Kubrick plays a subtle joke. Remember when the Orion "docked" with the space station. That scene suggests copulation. If you think of the Aries that exited the space station and went to the Moon as a sperm cell, you have ejaculation. When the Aries or sperm enters the Moon (Luna is a mythological mother), you have fertilization. Eighteen months later (twice the human gestation period), you have Discovery.

The manner in which Poole, Bowman, and HAL are introduced and the way we learn about the other astronauts and the mission itself - via a BBC show shows a lot of cleverness by Director Stanley Kubrick. Most directors would have used narration or clumsy dialogue to pull this off. The fact that Poole and Bowman are watching themselves on TV indicates narcissism on their parts. They've been in isolation for a month at this point and that could be affecting their behavior.

In the novel, it is pointed out that HAL stands for Heuristic ALgorithmic computer. Heuristics and algorithms are the two methods of problem solving. Heuristics involve spotting patterns and using previous experience and is generally something humans traditionally can do much better than a computer. Algorithms involves breaking up a problem into simpler, smaller problems and is a strength of computers. If HAL is as adept heuristically as he is algorithmically, then he is powerful indeed.

It was discovered after the film came out that if you took each of the letters of HAL and went one letter higher, you'd get IBM. This would suggest that HAL is one step ahead of IBM. Author Arthur C. Clarke emphatically denied that this was anything other than a coincidence.

Other Notes

James Horner, the film scorer for numerous films, was impressed with the way the Gayane Ballet Suite was used in the Discovery, primarily to suggest isolation and loneliness. He uses the piece in the opening sequence of Aliens in a similar way with the hibernating Ripley and cat, isolated in a spaceship.

This is one of the only films ever made that takes into account the fact that radio transmissions travel at the speed of light. This means no real-time conversations are possible between Discovery and Earth.

TMA-1 (Film Synopsis Part 6)

2008-02-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Story

The desolate, barren landscape of the Lunar surface provides the background for the next segment of Floyd's journey. Ligeti's Lus Aeterna provides a haunting score. The silent flying vehicle over the jagged, dry surface is on it's way to a major discovery. Something very significant has been discovered in this inhospitable place. The music adds to the mystery. The vehicle is a moon shuttle - designed to go from one place to another on the Moon quickly. As the vehicle moves, we see a gibbous Earth in the background. Unlike the previous two vehicles (Orion, and Aries), no name is given for the shuttle. We do see the pilots using similar controls and displays as in the other two vehicles.

There are three scientists inside - Floyd, Halvorsen, and Michaels from the earlier conference. Their first order of business is to eat and then to mutually congratulate each other on how well they've handled the particular circumstances. Michaels then shows Floyd some photos and we learn some more details about the discovery. We learn that it emits a powerful magnetic field and we learn that it had been "deliberately buried". Floyd peruses the photos and drawings, some of which are marked "TMA-1 Tycho Magnetic Anomaly". He finally asks the question that the audience has been waiting to hear - "I don't suppose you have any idea what the damned thing is?" Halvorsen has no answer but adds that it was buried 4 million years ago. Whatever was found on the Moon is as old as humankind.

The moon shuttle enters the confines of the crater "Tycho". We see another sequence where the pilots have to go through a procedure. This time it is to land the shuttle and the computer does the hard part, just as in the docking procedures of the Orion and Aries.

We see a man-made excavation and in the center is another monolith that appears exactly like the one that appeared to the ape-men 4 million years earlier. The same scene is basically repeated. Ligeti's Requierm marks the second encounter with the monolith. It's just as ominous and mysterious as it was earlier. The first one aided man-apes to become human. What's the purpose of this one? The astronaut scientists have no idea what it is or what to do with it. One of them does the same thing the man-apes did, that is touch it. When the group decides it's time for a photo opportunity, we hear a horrible high-pitched sound that is hurting the scientists ears, not to mention the audience's. Finally, we see the cosmic alignment again. This time it's the monolith against an eclipsing Earth and Sun.

Meanings

Every time a man-made vehicle has to dock or land, it is always shown as a complicated procedure. As mentioned many times before, it is a big deal for man-made objects to align with anything.

There is a three-way conversation between Halvorsen, Michaels, and Floyd. As mentioned earlier, this is a common Kubrick motif.

The monolith found on the Moon obviously represents something left by intelligence 4 million years ago. It is the unquestionable proof of intelligent live beyond Earth. Yet, the three scientists are concerned with food and mutual congratulations first. Even when Michaels shows the photographs and explains how it was found (it gives off a strong magnetic field, thus the name Tycho Magnetic Anomaly or TMA-1), Floyd is barely interested and responds with a few grunts and head shakes. It's only after Michaels goes off for coffee when he gets around to asking "I don't suppose you have any idea what the damned thing is?" As mentioned in the Clavius article, these guys are hardly scientists.

As in the encounter 4 million years earlier, we witness a point of view looking up the length of the monolith and seeing a cosmic alignment of the monolith, the Earth and the Sun. We know this is a clue that the monolith comes from something superior to Man. We also know that this viewpoint is for the audience and is not what the astronauts are seeing. After all, we have already seen the Earth near the Moon's horizon at this location. On the Moon, the Earth is always in the same part of the sky.

The monolith that the man-apes encountered 4 million years earlier served as a trigger to the development of the human race by implanting in them, the idea of using tools. What purpose does this monolith serve? All it did was shriek out a loud beep. There are several answers to that question including one that isn't answered at this time.

One question one must ask is why is there a monolith buried on the Moon? To answer that, we must think back 4 million years earlier. Whatever visited the man-apes must have wanted to know how they progressed. Were they too weak to survive, even with tools? Would they evolve only so far and then be a content species living on Earth? Would they use their tools to ultimately destroy themselves? OR MAYBE, would they evolve, become more intelligent, not destroy each other, yet remain curious and bold enough to step outside of the Earth and begin exploring the universe? If the latter is true, then it makes sense that Man would eventually find the monolith on the Moon when studying the Moon's magnetic field. In other words, the monolith was meant to be found, but only by a species with the means to do so.

This means that as before, the monolith serves as a test. In finding the monolith, the human race proved it is worthy to go on to the next test. It also indicates that the entire purpose of the human race is to develop the tools to explore space. All the disciplines of the human race such as its history, art, and philosophies only served to put us into outer space. This is a profound statement of 2001: A Space Odyssey and is essentially the belief system of author Arthur C. Clarke and those who dream of space exploration.

Most people will say that 2001: A Space Odyssey contains 4 chapters. Yet there are only 3 title pages. That's because there are really only 3 chapters in 2001. Everything we've seen up to now is still in the first chapter: The Dawn of Man. The first monolith signified the beginning of the dawn of man when man-apes found the path to humanity. The second monolith signifies the end of the dawn of man meaning the human race has achieved its goal and is is ready to take the steps to go beyond human.

Thinking of the human race's 4 million year history as the "dawn of man" puts an interesting perspective on where humans are in the cosmic scheme. 2001 basically states we've only just begun.

Other Notes

2001 was created before any Moon landings so it is remarkable how closely this part of the film comes to resembling the actual lunar surface. It is in fact, quite accurate with the exception that the mountains are too craggy. It was thought then that they would appear this way since the Moon has no weather. What nobody thought about then is that the Moon does indeed have a form of weather. When volcanoes erupted and when meteorites impacted the surface, the rocks and debris that would explode out actually weathered the Moon making it very dusty and smoother than most scientists anticipated.

Clavius (Film Synopsis Part 5)

2007-09-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Story

With the Blue Danube playing once again, we find ourselves on the Aries spacecraft on its way to the Moon. We follow a flight attendant as she walks (with her special "grip shoes") around the ship. She first comes upon a sleeping Heywood Floyd, then she visits the other attendant, who is watching television. The first flight attendant gives the second one a food tray. Here we see that food must be sucked through a straw in this zero-g environment. The first attendant goes to retrieve more food trays for the pilots. To get to the cockpit, she must perform the amusing task of walking "up" a carousel-like walkway to invert herself, at least from the perspective of the prior part of the ship, not to mention, the audience. She serves meals to the cockpit crew.

Later on, we find Floyd awake and "eating" a meal. A pilot appears and he and Floyd have a short conversation. Floyd needs to use the restroom and we see him carefully reading the long list of instructions on how to use a zero gravity toilet.

The next sequence involves the Aries' approach and landing at the Clavius base. The Blue Danube comes to an end as the craft is transported into the underground realm that is Clavius base.

We are now in a conference room. After a brief introduction by a Dr. Halvorsen, Floyd gets in front to address a group of scientists. It is here where we find out that the epidemic brought up by the Russian scientists back at the space station was a ruse. It was a cover story as the American scientists discovered something. Something that has Floyd, and obviously, the American government placing a very high priority upon to keep secret.

Meanings

Critics (and outright haters) of the film often call the whole coverage of the journey to the Moon "boring" or "pointless". They don't see the reason for all the excruciatingly slow coverage of a flight attendant feeding the crew and passenger. Nor do they see the point in the long coverage of the landing itself. Compare this footage or the footage where the Orion docks with the space station to the sequence in Star Wars where the Millennium Falcon enters the space station that is the Death Star. The Star Wars sequences manages to last mere seconds. Of course, this isn't Star Wars. The food sequence shows us the difficulty of adapting to zero-g environments. People have to drink, eat, and sleep, and use the bathroom differently. Ship design can be more efficient as not everything needs to be oriented the same way since there is no up or down.

There is a shot of the Aries going through space with the Earth and Sun behind it. Note how the three are not in alignment. As mentioned in Transition (Film Synopsis Part 3), man-made objects do not align with heavenly bodies in the manner of the superior intelligence.

The Aries ship looks like a human head. As it is landing on the Moon with the landing struts facing downward, two lit windows are visible that give it the appearance of having eyes. This is another example of man's tools imitating human body parts.

Earlier, the Orion docking with the space station conveyed a sexual act. It occurs again here where the "head" of the Aries goes inside the flower-like opening of the Clavius base. Of course, this suggests a different, more perverse type of sexual act.

Author Leonard Wheat suggests that the Aries actually represents a sperm cell that was ejaculated by the Orion through the space station. The entrance to Clavius represents an egg. Therefore, we have another sexual act of a sperm entering an egg.

Aries, like Orion, is a name from Greek mythology. Aries is a Ram, a male sheep.

The Zero Gravity Toilet is the second reference to a bathroom in the film.

In the space station, we now know that Floyd deliberately misled the Russian scientists into believing that the rumors of an epidemic at Clavius base were true. Floyd never admitted anything, it was via subtle suggestion and body language performed with a great deal of skill and finesse. We can determine from the briefing that Floyd is essentially, a bureaucrat. Some incredible scientific discovery has been made and he is occupied with dealing with the security of handling it. The only question asked during the briefing concerns the security issues as well. Perhaps the scientists also lack enthusiasm for the discovery.

This all suggests that the technology the human race has used to achieve space travel has sapped most of their curiosity and awe. Humans once dreamed of going to the Moon. It was a far-fetched goal. Now it is treated as routine and somewhat boring. The humans carry on dull conversations and routines of eating and sleeping. Meanwhile, it is the tools that are shown as sexual. Is the essence that makes humans unique on planet Earth being transferred to his tools?

Other Notes

Stanley Kubrick paid careful attention to details and the scientific accuracy of a futuristic flight to the Moon. Indeed, he consulted with NASA scientists and even now, decades after the film was released, it can be said that 2001 has no equal in the scientific and engineering aspects of spaceflight. Ships lack gravity. Space stations must rotate to simulate gravity. There is no sound in space. Lighting is harsh as there is no atmosphere to diffuse light or create any kind of ambience. Therefore, shadows have sharp borders.

One area where Kubrick was not able to simulate scientific accuracy was on the surface of the Moon. This is the film's most obvious scientific flaw. The way Floyd and the other people walk indicates they are walking on Earth, not the 1/6 gravity of the Moon.

At the Station (Film Synopsis Part 4)

2007-08-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Story

"Here we are, Sir, main level D" proclaims the pillbox hat - clad flight attendant. We hear the first words of the film. The lone passenger of the Orion spaceflight has arrived at the space station. The next sequence has him going through voice print identification. From this, we learn more about him. His name is Heywood R. Floyd and he is an American heading for the Moon. We can determine that he is a man of some importance as he was greeted by a security guard assigned especially to him. The fact that he was the only passenger on a commercial spacecraft also clues us in that he is a man of significance.

As the two men walk through the station, you can see the curved floor serving as a reminder that they are in a space station orbiting the Earth. Floyd stops to make a telephone call. His little girl answers. It is amusing how the telephone is a futuristic video phone and the Earth is seen spinning (due to the station doing the actual spinning). Yet, with this futuristic technology, the conversation in the phone call itself is very mundane. This is especially notable when Floyd nonchalantly explains to his daughter that he is "traveling" so he would not be able to attend her birthday party.

We next see Floyd come across a group of Russians conversing. He recognizes his friend Elena and has heard of Dr. Andrei Smyslov. From casual conversation, we can learn the Russians are scientists and having just finished a job, they are heading back to Earth. The conversation is warm until Floyd mentions he is going up to Clavius (Clavius is a very large crater on the Moon and the location of the American Moonbase.) Upon hearing this, Dr. Smyslov starts questioning Floyd about "extremely odd things" that have been occurring at Clavius. Floyd is evasive but Smyslov is persistent. He divulges that he has heard rumors of a serious epidemic at Clavius. He finally gets Floyd to at least acknowledge that he is not at liberty to discuss the subject. Smyslov isn't very satisfied with this answer and wants to explore the subject further. Elena breaks the tension by offering Floyd a drink. Floyd declines and after a few pleasantries, he walks away, leaving the Russian scientists to speculate what Floyd really did know.

Meanings

Births and deaths are significant in this film. Note how it is Floyd's daughter's birthday.

The conversation between Floyd and Smyslov is very significant to the story. We can gather from the orbiting nuclear bombs we saw earlier that the cold war is still going on. Scientists rarely like to get into politics but it's obvious that Floyd was being very careful in what he said to Smyslov and how he said it. The Russians are the other tribe, not dissimilar to the rival tribe in the prehistoric Man sequence.

The three-way conversation is a common Kubrick technique - especially during moments of tension. Note how the two female scientists other than Elena are nearly taken out of view during the conversation. Even though it is just primarily Smyslov and Floyd talking, Elena is part of it as well and it should be noted how she reacts to what the two men say to each other. There will be several other three-way conversations later.

Other Notes

It's amazing how realistic the futuristic voice print identification process seems. It seems natural that security would be an issue in a public space station. Notice how the camera and screen appear so similar to a typical webcam and flat screen set up that are used in kiosks, not to mention home computers today.

There are more trademark names here. Note the Hilton and The Howard Johnsons Earthlight Room as Floyd and the security guard walk through the station. The phone Floyd uses is AT&T

Kubrick plays a joke on the theater audience when a woman announces that a "blue cashmere sweater has been found in the restroom." This was intentionally set up to come from a rear speaker in a theater. It was made to sound as if it was a theater announcement instead of one from the film.

Floyd's daughter is played by Vivian Kubrick. Note her British accent. Perhaps Floyd lives in England even though he is American. This happens again later in the film with another character. Bronx-born director Stanley Kubrick lived in England most of his life so maybe he was used to Americans with British accents.

Kubrick had a thing about bathrooms. I believe he had a disdain for the fact that characters in movies never had to take a break and use the restroom. Most Kubrick films reference and show bathrooms. Note how Floyd's daughter's informs her father that her babysitter is in the bathroom.

Transition (Film Synopsis Part 3)

2007-03-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Story

We're back at the water hole. Again, we are seeing a previous scene played out. This time the scene starts out after the confrontation between the two groups has already begun. Our group is now armed with bone-club weaponry. The second group is completely oblivious as to why the first group is carrying the bones. Unlike the earlier encounter, the first group doesn't just run away upon the sight of the second group. Realizing they are being challenged, the leader of the second group crosses the water, yet before he can assert his will, he is greeted with a thud as a bone strikes him squarely across the back of the neck. He is down almost immediately. One by one, man-apes from the first group come up to the lying body and strike it. They are assuring themselves that the destructive power they have discovered is truly real. Upon this realization, one joyfully flings his club high into the air. The camera follows it...

Where the bone was, we now see an orbiting man-made satellite. The intent of the transition is obvious, the bone-club has evolved. While maintaining the same basic, elongated shape as its predecessor, the satellite can serve the same purposes, only in a much more efficient manner. We see, several others, all are similarly shaped but each has unique details. Then we see the double ferris-wheel space station. It rotates and gives the appearance of a, well, a ferris-wheel. We then see a sleek, somewhat airplane shaped spacecraft on a path to the space station. It is the Orion shuttle. It shows the Pan Am logo indicating it is a commercial space vehicle. During this whole sequence in space, we are hearing Johann Strauss' Blue Danube.

Now we are inside the Orion and in front of the audience is a floating pen, indicating the weightless condition inside the vehicle. There is a sleeping man all by himself. The rest of the cabin is empty seats. A female flight attendant enters. She is walking awkwardly but we find out why when we notice her shoes indicate they are "grip", aka velcro shoes.

The scene shifts back to outside the Orion as we see it go through the docking procedure. We see the pilots using computers to synchronize the Orion's rotation with that of the space station. It is a complex procedure.

Meanings

A lot happens here. Some very important themes of the film are introduced. Much of 2001's themes have to do with Mankind's tools. These themes include:

Are tools an asset or liability?: The bone-club is first used as a means to ward off starvation. The bone-club, as the first tool, introduces Mankind to the idea that every day does not have to be a struggle for survival. Using tools like the club, one can have leisure time - time to spend thinking up how to make better tools. This whole concept made Man live longer, develop communication skills, and ultimately develop civilization as we know it. There is a catch, though. As the man-apes demonstrated, the same tool that keeps him from starvation can be used to kill another. Satellites orbiting the Earth can be used for collecting energy, growing food, or developing medicines. They also can be used as a means from which to fire nuclear weapons. Since the bone flung in the air had been used as a weapon, we can take the hint that the satellites we see are for purposes of warfare. The pen can indicate how Man's communication abilities have evolved. It can also be the instrument used to sign orders to utilize the satellites. It's deadly too.
Warfare is human-driven: The monolith is present when the man-apes discovers the bone as a means of providing him with food. The monolith is not present when the man-ape kills another.
Tools as a replacement of human body parts: The bone-club gave the man-apes a more powerful arm. Where the bone-club is capable of killing another man, the satellites are capable of killing millions, but as indicated by its similar shape, it is an even more powerful prosthetic arm. The pen, too, can be thought of as an extension of Man's mouth. Then we come to the Orion spacecraft. It is long and narrow like the bone club. Yet, when you consider the round rotating space station, the docking procedure, and the accompanying waltz, it, like the space station are sexual organs. The Blue Danube plays as the two structures "waltz", a prelude to the "docking".

The intelligence behind the monolith was careful enough to minimize its impact on the man-apes. Right after it tested the man-apes, it disappeared as it had fulfilled its purpose.

Note that the spacecraft carrying the one passenger is named Orion. Orion, in Greek mythology was a hunter. Thus, the Orion symbolizes the how the hunter from the prehistoric age has broken through and risen from the Earth. Also note - in keeping with the theme of tools replacing humans, that the hunter is now represented as a tool.

We already know that triple alignments represent a superior intelligence. When we see human-made objects along with heavenly bodies, they are never aligned. The human race lacks the "divinity" compared to whatever had placed the monolith.

The above image indicates how man-made tools do not align with heavenly bodies - contrasting the alignments we see when a superior intelligence is present.

Other Notes

The use of a genuine trademarked logos such as Pan Am and IBM in this scene was very unusual in films of the 1960's. It became more common later when companies realized it was an effective way to advertise. You'd think that Pan Am and IBM would be delighted that Stanley Kubrick would choose their companies so prominently in future high tech equipment. Apparently, both companies were reluctant about this idea.

Something New (Film Synopsis Part 2)

2006-09-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Story

For the third time, there is a sunrise. This time, we aren't viewing the celestial bodies. Instead, the focus is on the awakening man-apes in the caves. Something has obviously gotten their attention. They are stirred up - growling and staring at something. We hear a choir of voices chanting. Finally, it is revealed. Sitting in front of the caves is a rectangular block. Sharp-edged and jet-black, this "monolith" just seems so weird and out of place. It contrasts the natural landscape around it. The man-apes have never seen anything remotely like it. Their curiosity finally overcomes their initial fear and they approach it slowly. They surround it and eventually one of them dares to touch it. The choir voices raise and eventually, all the man-apes in the group have surrounded the monolith and are reaching out and touching it. It's smooth stone or metal (you can't tell) must feel as alien to them as its appearance does. Just as the chorus peaks, we witness a new point of view, an alignment of the monolith, the Sun, and the Moon.

In Kubrick style, the scene, including the music, suddenly ends abruptly. We are again seeing the man-apes and the harsh landscape. Everything is back to normal. The morning incident seems to have been forgotten. We focus on one particular man-ape as he furiously digs in the never-ending quest for nourishment. Something grabs his attention. He looks up. We get a repeated glimpse of the shot of the monolith, Sun, and Moon. The hominid grabs a large bone and begins pounding the ground and other bones around him. We once again, hear Strauss' Thus Spake Zarathustra. At first, the man-ape seems confused as to why is he doing this. As he strikes the other bones, causing them to break and go flying, the man-ape gets more enthusiastic and his motions become more purposeful. He gets the point! The bone in his hand increases his power. With this first tool, he can kill tapirs. He and his cavemates suddenly have a new source of food.

For the third time, we start off a scene with the desert landscape. This time, we only see a solitary man-ape eating. He is not digging in the ground for roots and insects, he is eating fresh (tapir?) meat. We then see the clan in small groups all eating meat. All is well for a change.

Meanings

This is a monumental scene of the film. We are introduced to the monolith. Its simple, yet perfect shape is perplexing to both the man-apes and the audience. Its black color and the way it sits there silently gives it an almost menacing appearance. There is a common misconception about the scene showing the "cosmic alignment". Some point out that the Sun had just rose so how could the Sun be directly overhead so quickly? Also, when the Sun and Moon are so close to each other in the sky, it is impossible to see the Moon due to glare from the Sun. One has to realize that the view of the "cosmic alignment" was for the audience only. Kubrick clues us in by revealing the monolith in alignment with the Sun and Moon. This is a reference to the alignment shown at the film's beginning. Obviously, the monolith is connected to whatever was shown visiting the Earth.

This re-asks the question of what came to Earth. The novel, which was adapted from an intermediate version of the screenplay, explains it as a very advanced alien intelligence, advanced so much that even 4 million years ago, they were way ahead of mankind today. Did Kubrick follow this part of the screenplay? The music we hear (Ligeti's Requiem For Soprano, Mezzo Soprano) features the chanting of a choir. While we don't quite hear "Hallelujah", it comes across as a religious piece. The monolith even looks like a religious symbol. The way it is planted into the ground is not dissimilar to a cross. The triple alignment also can be interpreted as the holy trinity. Of course, a third explanation can be that the monolith incident of 4 million years ago was the beginning of religion. The empowerment our ancestors received at the time of the monolith may have passed on through the generations leading humankind to associate power with an unknown higher form of life.

The highlight of this part of the story is when the solitary man-ape (Moonwatcher in the novel) learns to use an ordinary bone as a tool. Over and over, in other discussions I read and hear, this scene is usually mistakenly described as "the monolith teaches the hominid to use tools". This was not a class, it was a test. Look at Moonwatcher'a actions. He is searching for food, he suddenly glances back towards the monolith. He receives a command from as far as he is concerned, God. He lifts up a bone gingerly and begins to strike the other bones. His mannerisms at this point indicate unsure compliance, i.e. he was told to strike the bones but was not told why. People who complain that 2001 does not have good acting overlooked a great performance here. There is a moment where Moonwatcher suddenly realizes why he is striking the bones. He gets it. He passes the test. Once this happens, he strikes the bones with much more enthusiasm. He feels triumphant and the flashes of a dying tapir indicate he has made the important mental connection that the power he has in striking the dead bones would also apply to striking living things.

2001 features many tests of humankind. Although not shown in the film, it is logical to assume the "tool test" was not just given to this one particular group of man-apes. It is likely that most man-ape groups failed the test. The film shows us one of the rare cases of a success. Possibly, the rival tribe encountered the monolith and failed the test. This of course, falls right into evolution, the inferior tribe - that being the one that couldn't reach out and think beyond their normal scope, won't survive.

Thus Spake Zarathustra is played because passing the test was the moment in time where the man-apes became Nietzsche's "proto-man". Man-apes will no longer live on instinct, alone.

Notice how the man-apes appear more relaxed and sociable with one another once they have a healthy portion of food in them. Having leisure time will enable them to develop better communication skills. The path to humanity has begun.

Other Notes

Early versions of the screenplay and novel had a less mystical tone. Indeed, a ship lands and an alien comes out and teaches the man-apes to use bones as hunting tools and reeds to tie knots. This is where we see the difference between author Arthur C Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick. The physical alien would be typical of Clarke and would work in the story as a novel. Kubrick never wanted to make a typical science fiction film with "little green men" or some other physical manifestation of an extraterrestrial. It is because of Kubrick and his vision that I, and others, get to endlessly speculate this film.

Early versions of the monolith had it as a crystal pyramid, similar to the object in The Sentinel - the short story 2001 originated from. Director Stanley Kubrick decided that people might want to relate the monolith to the Egyptian pyramids, something Kubrick did not want. So they tried a crystalline rectangular block. Unfortunately, this didn't work either as there was no way to keep it from reflecting the studio lights. This resulted in a black monolith.

A Day in the Life of a Man-Ape (Film Synopsis Part 1)

2006-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Story

After a spectacular opening act, everything briefly goes dark and silent. We are greeted with a sunrise and an aptly named title “The Dawn of Man”. This is the first of three titles in the film. The titles also announce each part of the film.

We see barren landscapes. The only sounds are winds, adding to the whole feel of desolation. It’s all very eerie and you suddenly realize why. The images aren’t moving. The utter stillness even further adds to the whole tone of lifelessness. From the title, we can gather that we are witnessing Africa , roughly 4 million years ago. In fact, 4 million years will be mentioned specifically in the film later. It is a time where a species evolved from apes, but are no longer quite apes. After viewing dry riverbeds and dry bones, we finally see the man-apes gathered in a group, furiously digging in the hope of finding food. The imagery leading up to this scene is meant to set up just how harsh a landscape this is. The dry riverbed, perhaps, indicates that it may not have always been this way. Maybe, there was a climatic shift that eradicated most of the life here. The man-apes have survived this far but their future is precarious. There appears to be very little food and water. The man-apes are eating whatever they find in the ground whether it’s roots or insects. Even worse, they have to compete with other animals for the remnants of food, notably the pig-like tapirs that are around them. Suddenly, a leopard leaps upon one of them. The rest of the group frantically runs away, leaving their companion to serve as food for the predator.

The scene changes and we see our group slurping from a nearly dry watering hole. The water supply is as bad as the food. A rival band of man-apes comes and chases our group away, clearly before any of them had enough water to drink. There’s a lot of yelling, but no fighting. Energy must be conserved in such a harsh environment.

It’s dusk. The nocturnal animals are stirring. Meanwhile, our group of man-apes are gathered in their caves. They are huddled together to keep warm and to express their fear of the known and unknown terrors of the night. It will be a near sleepless night with all the danger about. So ends another long day in this fight for survival.

Meanings

The man-apes are the proto-man or pre-man beings from Nietzsche. Kubrick intentionally shows how they differ from Man. They don’t hunt, they don’t fight, and they don’t defend one another. They are all slowly dying of starvation; yet, they don’t rise to the occasion in any way to combat this.

There are some similarities, though. The primal fear that is a constant motivating force behind them is an obvious trait that carries on to modern Man. Kubrick also shows a close-up of one of them. You can see his (her?) eyes and clearly, these eyes show fear and wonder which indicates intelligence. Kubrick was famous for his close-ups on human faces reacting to something.

Ironically, some critics of 2001 thought the “human eyes” in the man-ape were there because of poor makeup. No, these are not gorillas (and pleeeease don’t call them monkeys. Calling an ape a monkey is like calling an elephant a horse) and they are not supposed to look like gorillas and they don’t.

Notice how the man-apes are shown to eat, drink, and sleep. This pattern is somewhat repeated several times in the film. They are the predominant human activities.

The title “The Dawn of Man” certainly suggests that this sequence will indicate the arrival or “dawn” of the human race. Note that this has not yet occurred. As I stated above, these are not humans, they are a semi-intelligent race that is unable to adapt to environmental changes and is therefore, on the path to extinction.

Other Notes

It has been argued that the portrayal of man-apes (Australopithecus) is incorrectly done - notably, that the man-apes in such a desert environment would not be so hairy. Of course, Anthropology has, itself, evolved significantly since the mid-1960’s. It can be argued, though, that the very fact that the man-apes look out of place is precisely what was intended. It is clear that the landscape had changed and the man-apes once lived in a more suitable environment.

Kubrick sent photographer Andrew Birken to Africa to shoot the opening still shots. Whether it was intentional or not, the still shots, as opposed to motion footage, give the scenes an out of this world quality that works well here.

When the original screenplay and novel were written, current knowledge of that time placed the earliest ancestors of Man at 3 million years ago. During filming, Richard Leakey made discoveries placing Australopithecus at 4 million years ago. This accounts for a discrepancy between the novel and the film.

The glowing eyes in the leopard are reflections of studio lights. Since this created a desirable effect, the shot was used

The Film Begins (Film Synopsis Part 0)

2005-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Story

The trailers for the upcoming movies have finished. The curtain closes. There is an air of anticipation resonating from the audience. There is hardly a sound. Then, the curtain rises again, you expectantly wait for the screen to begin revealing incredible imagery. Instead, the screen remains blank. You first hear a hum and soon, the hum becomes a mysterious blend of instruments - sounding somewhat classical, but with an electronic edge. Members of the audience begin to murmur as some aren't sure if the music is part of the film or not. Some even wonder if something is wrong with the projector as nothing is shown on the screen.

This is the very unique way 2001: A Space Odyssey begins, at least in a theater. The music is an excerpt from Ligeti's Atmosphere's. Kubrick chose to open this film way for several reasons:

It falls in with tradition as an MGM film. MGM films have overtures, typically an oil or watercolor painting shown on the screen with a montage of the films musical numbers playing. The oil painting dissolves into a live-action shot as the overture ends. Kubrick, while following the outline of this tradition, did it his way in keeping the screen blank.
It sets a perfect tone for what is to come. The dark screen and eerie music set up what is going to be an enigmatic storyline. The score consists of highs and lows that are doppler shifted. That is, it sounds like you are speeding along with landmarks whizzing by you. Thus, a journey or odyssey.

All is quiet again. The MGM logo appears, not as a moving, roaring lion, but as a still drawing. Kubrick refused to have the roaring lion interrupt his opening act. He convinced the studio executives to allow him this request. They conceded. After one or two more films (Ice Station Zebra and I'm not sure if there were any more), MGM went back to the roaring lion logo that all moviegoers are used to. A hum begins a few seconds later, then followed by the famous three notes that begin Thus Spake Zarathustra. Now we're seeing the alignment of three heavenly bodies as the sun peeks over the Earth with the Moon in the foreground. We're just getting started here and we are already experiencing many of the themes of the film.

Meanings

The theme music Thus Spake Zarathustra (or Also Sprach Zarathustra) is fitting in more ways than one. It was written to tribute Friedrich Nietzsche's literary work of the same title. The work has to do with the stepping stones that mankind makes from ape or proto-man to the god-like overman. This, of course, is one of the main themes of 2001.

A common theme of 2001 is the exploration of God and who is behind the progression of mankind. Discussion 1 is that it is from an extra-terrestrial race that is very highly advanced. Discussion 2 is that God is behind this and the film is analogous to the Bible. Discussion 3 is that the extra-terrestrial race is so advanced that they became God and are helping the human race to follow the correct path to God. In this context, the Sun, Earth, and Moon could be representing the holy trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

See my previous article 3.

The imagery, starting with the far side of the Moon, indicates a point of view from someone or something visiting the Earth from outside. Is it extraterrestrials? Maybe it's God. Perhaps, since the end of the film shows the Starchild returning to Earth, maybe the film begins with the point of view of the Starchild, who then reflects on the entire history of the human race to show how he came to exist.

There is a minimum of titles. "MGM Presents" to "A Stanley Kubrick Production" to "2001: a Space Odyssey". Again, Kubrick broke some rules (George Lucas would follow suit 10 years later) and not inundate the audience with the names of actors, writers, and other production people in the title sequence. With the Sun now well above the crescent Earth and Moon, the music and picture fade.

I want to stress here that you have to experience this in a good theater. The overture and the visuals just don't have the same impact on the TV. In fact, when 2001 is shown on television, the station often omits the important overture.

We're only through the film's opening and we already have a lot to think about.

3

2005-07-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

There's just something special about the number 3. Kubrick certainly seemed to think so. His films seem to all have 3 parts and are often centered around 3 characters. He particularly seemed to like 3-way conversations that involved tension and conflict. Here's a few examples from some of his films.

Lolita: Love triangle of Humbert, Quilty, and Lolita
Dr. Stangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb: 3 simultaneous situations - the war room, the Air Force base, and the airplane.
A Clockwork Orange: Continual tension between Alex, Georgie, and Dim
Barry Lyndon: Family tension between Barry, Lord Bullington, and Lady Lyndon
The Shining: Another family dynamic of father, mother, and son
Full Metal Jacket: Tensions between Joker, Pyle, and Hartman
Eyes Wide Shut: Another 3 member family, this time with a daughter instead of a son.

Now, when it comes to 2001, Kubrick really seemed to show his obsession with the number 3. Here's the one's I've found. I'm sure there's more.

General

3 Titles for each chapter of the film ("The Dawn of Man", "Mission to Jupiter (18 Months Later)", and "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite")
3 states of Man (man-ape, human being, Starchild)
2+0+0+1 = 3
3 times "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is played (Beginning, Man discovers tools, Man becomes Starchild)
3 times "Atmospheres" is played (Overture, Intermission, Through the stargate)
3 times "Requiem' is played (Monolith appearances on Earth, Moon, and Jupiter space)

Opening

3-way alignment of Moon, Earth, and Sun (this alignment of 3 objects happens at key points in the film.)
3 lead in notes in the "Also Sprach Zarathustra" music
3 opening credit titles ("MGM Presents", "A Stanley Kubrick Production", "2001: A Space Odyssey")

The Dawn of Man

3 activities of the man-apes are first shown (eating, drinking, sleeping)
Each of the 3 activities are interrupted by something (leopard, other man-ape tribe, monolith)
3-way alignment of monolith, Moon, and Sun

Earth to Moon

Orion spacecraft, spacestation, and the Moon or the Earth (but never both) form a triangle. They are never shown in alignment (that's for another discussion)
3 rows of "voice print identification" terminals, each with 3 screens
3 adjacent windows in spacestation as Floyd and Miller walk
3-way conversation in spacestation between Floyd, Smythslov, and Elena (a common Kubrick technique for another discussion)
3 glasses on table in front of scientists
3 chairs along the walls inside space station
Aries Spacecraft, Sun, and Earth (not in alignment)
3 astronauts on lunar surface as Aries lands
3 martial arts performers on video screen in Aries
3 crewmembers in cockpit of Aries spacecraft
Aries, Moon, and Earth triangle
3 people speak at the briefing (Floyd, Halvorson, and Michaels)
3-way conversation in Moon bus between Floyd, Halvorson, and Michaels.
3-way alignment of monolith, Earth, and Sun
3 vessels take Floyd to his destination (Orion, Aries, Moon shuttle)

Mission to Jupiter

3 divisions of the viewport in front of Discovery
3 pod bay doors on Discovery
3 antenna dishes on Discovery
3 sets of 2 engines on Discovery
3 pods on Discovery
3 conscious personnel on Discovery (Bowman, Poole, and HAL)
3 hibernating personnel on Discovery
Poole is shown jogging around centrifuge 3 times
3-way conversation between reporter, Bowman, and Poole
3-way conversation between HAL, Bowman, and Poole
3 spacesuits in Discovery's pod bay
Dave pushes 3 buttons to initiate the explosive bolts sequence
3 Eva's are performed

Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite

3-way alignment of Jupiter, large moon, and monolith (yes, there are other moons but there are 3 main objects)
Bowman ages 3 times before becoming the Star-Child
Bowman, like the man-apes, eats, drinks, and sleeps before encountering the monolith.
Bowman, like the man-apes, has each activity interrupted (by spacesuited Bowman, breaking glass, monolith)
3-way alignment of Moon, Star-Child, and Earth