I have to say that I disagree with Walker’s analysis. Not to a large degree, only slightly. While he says that only the first portion deals with evolution, I believe that the entire movie deals with this theme. 2001 begins with a sequence dealing with apes and it is here we see a very important evolutionary step in process, technology (specifically that of the weapon). The bone is proved to be good at smashing things and we then see the consequences- apes die because the bone was discovered. It’s no wonder that from the bone we transition to orbital nuclear defense systems (though we do not know that is what this is when we see it).
I would then say that the next two themes of Walker’s (exploration and revolution) are in fact the same section and part of the same theme, again that of evolution. We see how far man has come. We see how far the technology that began in the first section has progressed with the circular space station and the HAL 9000. Again, we see the consequences of these discoveries- Frank is killed.
I would also say that Walker’s last two themes (transfiguration and mutation) are part of this evolutionary theme. Here, Dave comes into contact with the obelisk we see the consequences- he turns into a giant fetus, but before that he ages and it can be easily assumed that he dies.
Each of the three segments deal with technological evolution (the bone, HAL, the obelisk) and the consequence of discovering each of these is death. But in a sense, new life is then birthed through that death. We don’t see these evolutions but apes become humankind, Dave reaches Jupiter, Dave returns to Earth. In all this, a clear message that “technology is dangerous” is evident. But if that danger is weathered, something new and potentially wonderful can come out of it. It is a gamble every time something new is invented.
Good comments, Jonathan. I'd have to agree with your sense that evolution is a continuous theme here. One question I'd raise, though is the relationship between the very first "invention" and the encounter with the monolith. It seems to me that the monolith is a thing that inspires. It is both a signal, a sign of change, but also a vehicle of knowledge. That is, those who encounter it somehow receive information, and then they must decide what to do with it. If Dave's transformation into a Star Baby is a hopeful change, it seems as though the previous encounters have less hopeful developments that are violent and paranoid.
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