I'm curious what you expected...all Tarkovski is like maximum artsy.

It was my first Tarkovski film and I wasn't aware of the directors style.

Try “Andrei Rublev” it’s (watched all his work) one of his more balanced films, as in its full of symbolism but it’s intertwined with the narration, so one may go through it without noticing then subtext, while it’s probably one of the best (if not the best) films about medieval ages.

If you liked it, watch the Russian Solaris. It's interesting to compare and contrast with 2001.

This is an amazing film. It was a real pleasure comparing it to the Hollywood version and also the book. The Hollywood version is also quite good, but focuses on different things (Kelvins relationship with his ex wife, as I recall) than the Soviet version.

Glad to see this comment. I like them both for different reasons, and feel the Clooney one gets trashed on unfairly for not being as art house smart. I thought the score and how it sets a mood was particularly well done.

Note if anyone is curious and goes looking for the trailer, be warned this is one of those movies where the studio edited the trailer to make it look like something totally different than what it is hoping to boost sales.

From the synopsis, looks like it's based on the Asimov novel.

It’s a Stanisław Lem novel.

helps to be in an 'artistic' state of mind. ;-)