This film feels like a more conventional offering when put next to what came before. Considering that, I have to admit I got more enjoyment out of this than '2001: A Space Odyssey'—primarily because it aligns better with my personal preferences in movies compared to the artistic ambitions of that 1968 film. The original certainly achieves greater heights visually and sonically than this one from 1984, but I think the plot is superior here. That’s not to suggest that '2010' is something I would describe as excellent; it isn’t. However, it provides reliable science fiction entertainment, and I had a pleasant time watching it. While I generally dislike changes in casting, Roy Scheider performs well taking over the role of Heywood Floyd from William Sylvester. Bob Balaban also does a good job, and it was nice to see John Lithgow and Helen Mirren included. I’m somewhat taken aback (but happy) that this has apparently been received reasonably well. I anticipated that most people would view it negatively, which often happens with sequels to celebrated films when they aren't similar—a different director, for example.

Source on TMDB