Review of A Clockwork Orange (1971) by Andy S — 29 Dec 2017

This is one of my favorite Kubrick movies. It's very much on it's own league just like all the other Kubrick movies. But even said that, there's something really special about Clockwork Orange.

It's so darkly cynical. Alex's commentary is always something interesting and funny to listen to. I'm so glad that Kubrick cast Malcolm McDowell to play Alex. He has this mischievous and almost evil nature about him that suits the character perfectly. The first scene in the prison with the officer that shouts at Alex, always cracks me up. It was also nice to see familiar faces such as the actor who plays the priest in the prison. He also plays the general in Barry Lyndon.

Let's talk about the music and soundtrack. I think Kubrick is a very cynical man. One can see this in how he pairs uplifting and almost playful classical music to scenes of violence and savagery. It's very entertaining and funny to watch. The soundtrack done on the movie is also brilliant. It really captures the whole feel and message of the movie which is that of dark and dystopian. Those lingering and almost robot-like synth sounds are enticing.

It always astounds me, his use of wide angle lenses and shots. He always seems to know when to use them and when not to. It's always beautiful and elegant the way he films his movies. That's why he's one of the greats. This movie has so many sexual imagery like human genitalia and nudity. It's pretty crazy to see how you can condition a person so harshly, that their body will reject whatever it is that it's been programed to reject.

This movie ha so many memorable and unforgettable scenes. The most notorious scene being where Alex is strapped to a chair with his eyelids forced open in order to watch violent movies. This is a famous pop culture reference that we see in cartoons and other movies trying to mimic it.

Overall, brilliant film and a classic one at that.