Should I give 2001: Space Oddysey another shot?

I’ve been trying to expand my film knowledge and watch more classics lately. I really want to understand and appreciate “important” cinema, not just modern stuff.

That said, I went into 2001: A Space Odyssey already a little wary because I didn’t like A Clockwork Orange, which I know is a “must” when in comes to classic movies. It made me uncomfortable the entire time. I understand that’s the point, but I just wasn’t enjoying what I was watching and I was totally disengaged.

Still, I wanted to give Kubrick another chance, so I started Space Oddysey and honestly… I couldn’t get through it. The first few minutes are just a black screen with music and by the 20-minute mark we were still with the apes. I found myself zoning out and wondering if it ever starts.

For context, I tend to love dialogue-heavy, character-driven films, things like Glengarry Glen Ross, 12 Angry Men, Driving Miss Daisy, The Professional, Mystic River, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Witness for the Prosecution, Mississippi Burning, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Pulp Fiction. I’m not into big sci-fi movies usually but I can enjoy a thoughtful idea like Ex Machina or Arrival.

So my question is: should I give 2001 another try? Does it “click” later once you get into the space sequences, or if I didn’t connect with the first act, is it just not for me? I’d love to hear from people who struggled at first but ended up loving it. Or those who think it’s okay to admit that some classics just aren’t everyone’s thing.