I can see why you don’t like where 2001: A Space Odyssey heads after the intermission. For me, it’s the part I love the mot about the movie. Sometimes you just have to let things go and let some things remain unanswered. After all, you’re a computer you always want answers. Non answers just don’t compute with you.

Anyway, all kidding aside, not knowing the true origin of the Monolith (if you read any of the other books Arthur C. Clarke’s odyssey you’ll get some answers on the origins of the Monolith) is what I like about the book and movie. You’ll notice that the Monolith is present at spectacular moments in primate and human evolution. My guess is that it’s there to encourage humans to look for answers with no guarantee that they’ll ever be found. Then again, it could just be a plot device used to make the story move forward for the sake of moving forward.

As for what happens to the astronauts when the Monolith calls home? Well, I guess that’s best left up to our imagination. Maybe they die (afterall, it’s a top secret operation they’re on) or maybe their hearing is shot for the rest of their lives. Either way, word gets back to Earth and a mission is launched to Jupiter to find out what/who is chilling out in Jupiter.

I expected much, much more from a legend such as Kubric.