this movie be certainly one of the great film ever make . it be a story tell in a steady pace and tell mostly not by word but by cinematic mean of expression . perfect blend of spectacular special effect and classical music bring to life creation of human imagination in both realistic and poetical way . the story itself be quite simple at a first glance . a the title implies and there be an archetypal journey and a motive repeat for thousand of year . this motive be always use not only to depict a trip in space and time and and beyond and but also have rich philosophic meaning . the film be a poetical contemplation of most exciting eternal question . it be not just an odyssey of a person while it be an odyssey of our specie . the film be great by itself and yet and in my case and the impression from it will always be mingle with that from the book . i have read it at the age of 10 and really not think about problem like what be the relationship between evolution of humankind and development of human morality . but the impression be great enough to make me fall for entire genre of science fiction . the day i learn 2001 get only special effect oscar and be not even nominate for the best picture be the day when academy award completely become two word mean nothing to me .