In 1889, the Eiffel Tower was about to achieve her final splendor, and Nietzsche collapsed in the same year. On one side, the highest monument was towering herself, and on the other side, the ultimate man just collapsed from his philosophical thoughts. In literature, nothing stands on the side of Don Quixote or on the philosophy or anything that can overcome Nietzschean philosophy. Music's greatness is just captured by Mozart or art by Van Gogh. And there is another magnificence created by Stanley Kubrick: 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The film is a science fiction (I prefer to call it a philosophical film) that deals with the theme of humanity's development beyond the human form. Directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Arthur C. Clarke's story The Sentinel, it is a masterpiece of cinema, with superb special effects and a compelling story about evolution and the meaning of life. This is more than just a movie about space exploration; it's also an examination of human nature in the context of evolution and the threat of nuclear war.

An inspiring story of human evolution and the advancement of mankind, this film explores themes of life and death, artificial intelligence, humanity's relationship with technology, and universal themes such as birth, death, and rebirth. It explores these concepts without ever being dogmatic or preachy, taking you on an emotional journey like no other—a nonverbal film which explores the implications of the gothic and epic in the use of the Monolith as a conceptual tool.

The Evolution of Man and the Übermensch

The main theme is human evolution and where it might lead humanity. It is told through the eyes of the main protagonist, Dr. Dave Bowman, who travels through space in search of clues to solve a mystery regarding human evolution. The film uses the whole range of cinematic techniques to tell its powerful story. As with any great work, there are many levels on which the film can be viewed: social, historical, and spiritual, but perhaps most interesting of all is the way that it attempts to deal with themes that have been explored in various ways by great thinkers and artists throughout history.

Nietzsche's Influence: The Sound of Transcendence

The music in this film, featuring Richard Strauss' Thus Spake Zarathustra, was one of the most original scores to come out of Hollywood at that time, and it added an element of strength to Kubrick's groundbreaking masterpiece. This piece is directly titled after Nietzsche's philosophical novel, which discusses the illusory nature of human thoughts, actions, and emotions and sets the stage for the concept of the Übermensch (Overman)—a theme perfectly mirrored by the film's Star Child finale. The music is a direct, auditory link to the film's high-minded philosophical goals.

The power of Nietzsche and the corresponding theme in 2001: A Space Odyssey is its great beauty. This movie demonstrates everything that is known about mankind. Nietzsche and 2001 have similar themes; they both discuss the illusory nature of human thoughts, actions, and emotions. The beauty of this film lies in its ability to combine these two great philosophical ideas with engaging characters and dramatic visual effects, with Stanley Kubrick brilliantly telling stories about humanity overcoming its primitive nature and reaching for higher understanding.

Visual Poetry and Philosophical Cinema

The film's visual style and soundtrack are able to reflect the emotions of its characters perfectly: fear, confusion, awe, and finally transcendence. Its iconic opening sequence that features a bone hitting an ape is one of the greatest moments in film history, showing visuals never before seen onscreen. The film takes us through the struggles we experience as a race, from our primitive beginnings to our complex present, and how we can find tranquility in the future—themes that relate to ideas found in Nietzsche's philosophy.

In the Star Child's final transformation, we witness not merely the evolution of humanity, but the actualization of Nietzsche's Übermensch—the transcendent being who has overcome the limitations of earthly existence and reached toward something divine.

The film's primary source of inspiration is the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900), whose concept that "God is dead" first appeared in his 1882 treatise The Gay Science. This idea was later used by the thinkers of the early 20th century as a premise upon which they built their own arguments. Kubrick himself was interested in Nietzsche's philosophy and incorporated it into his work multiple times.

Concluding Thoughts

In this sense, 2001 is not merely an entertainment piece or cinematic experiment — it is truly an exceptional masterpiece that combines mystical philosophy with genuine visual poetry. It stands as one of cinema's greatest achievements, a film that demands to be revisited again and again, each viewing revealing new layers of meaning and philosophical depth.

Note: First reviewed on Feb, 8th, 2024, Updated: 1/17/2025
Image courtsy: Photo by SpaceX: https://www.pexels.com/photo/space-galaxy-universe-rocket-23769/