I first watched 2001 : A Space Odyssey in 2019 and when I first watched it, I really wasn't a fan. I had come in expecting this big epic space fantasy movie with a lot of action and drama. I had seen Hal's death scene before when I was younger and enjoyed that. It made me excited for the movie even though it ended up failing to meet my expecations. I was 23. I didn't really have a large knowledge of classic film outside of blockbusters at the time. And this was so much unlike them.

When I revisited the movie in 2022, when I was 26, I did so with a better understanding of how to not come into a movie with expectations of what it should be and just trying to understand and enjoy it for what it is was. And I understood it a little more. Especially because I was watching in 4k on an OLED TV. Visually it was stunning, very hypnotic and with some shots with a very epic scope in feeling.

But I still just that it was just okay. I thought that despite being beautiful the very sparse story and very slow pacing still made it a movie I was just iffy on. But it was one of those movies that I was iffy on but still saw something spark that most don't. It was the type of movie I wanted to understand more, even if to just see why it wasn't clicking to me.

Then I got to see the movie in a theatre last summer. I had fallen in love with Kubrick as a director through watching The Shining, Fullmetal Jacket, Eyes Wide Shut, The Killing, and Barry Lyndon and I was now ready to finally give it another shot and understand why this movie people love so much by this director I clearly adore was so great.

So there I was watching it in 70mm and it finally clicked to me. It was wonderful. I finally understood how the visuals entranced you in another world. I finally understood why Dave's breathing was the soundtrack of a large portion of the second half because it made me feel like I was THERE with him. I didn't feel like I was watching space. I felt like I was in space. The movie and what it was trying to accomplish finally clicked for me.

Movies are supposed to transport you to another place and make you feel as though you live there during your time with it. I never felt that more than with 2001 in theatres.

I left the theatre with my friend and we were both in love with what we saw. He was already a fan of the movie but he had a deeper appreciation for it. And I now understood the movie Kubrick was trying to make.

It's just crazy how much watching a movie in a different environment can change it for you. It's why I always try to see classics in theatres when I can.