A CLOCKWORK ORANGE review

Two days ago I watched the movie A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, originally a novel by Anthony Burgess, and directed by Stanley Kubrick. Today I watched it again because I wanted more to reflect and to understand, and I also just thought it was really good. In the beginning of this movie I had too much running through my mind "whats going on?" "why would that happen?" "why is he doing that?" and I wasnt sure if I would be fond of it. I actually thought I wasnt going to like it at all. But I spoke too soon. It didnt take long to get me sucked in to what is one of the greatest movies I believe I've ever seen. I feel that it was just mind blowing and phenomonal.

In this interesting colored film from 1971, Malcom McDowell starred as Alex, the troubled, young phsycopathic, main character and leader of his group of mischief causing rebels. In my opinion most of the characters were casted well, all of the characters that matter at least. They seemed perfect for the crazy or odd people needed for that role. And I truly liked all the characters that took part of this. My favorite character in the film was, of course, Alex. Probably because I got to see what was running through his head. Everything seen in this movie was in Alex's perspective for being the narrator. He was quite developed in this film being young and spontaneous basically ready for everything. He felt like he was completely on top of things, like he had charge over everyone. If a friend of his was 'out of line' he knew how to put him back in. But that ended up being a bad idea on his part when his friends began to fight back.

This movie is all about these insane kids, still in school, causing destruction in any way they find they can. This definitly isn't something you would want to watch with kids and not exactly something you would want to share with grandma and grandpa. The kids in this film stop at nothing. Living in this what might be a small city, maybe suberb, they find ways into peoples homes and begin to rape, rummage, steal, and abuse. I'd say two of Alex's favorite things to do is sing and steal. But when tragedy happens and his friends turn against him and Alex finds himself in the county prison. He tried getting out for good behavior but they had other ideas for him. The government would try to cure him of his ways. After quite a few treatments Alex is sickened by the sight or sound of any kind of violence and rape, even some of his favorite music is ruined for him. But he succeeds and becomes a freed man. Out on his way he comes across many conflicts. His parents had rented his room out and couldn't have it back for him in time so he's to set out on his own. He eventually ran into all of the wrong people, such as a hobo hes done wrong to and a few of his old buddies who are not so friendly towards him anymore. He dragged himself to a home who he'd forgotten he had broken into before but the man didnt seem to recognize him. Eventually the mans memory comes back to him and Alex is tortured once again for the wrong things he's done, which hes already made up for in jail. But they don't care. It's gotten to the point with leaving alex nothing else to do. He turns to suicide and even fails at that.

This movie is just showing how hard it is for Alex and everything he's been through. It teaches lessons, and shows the hardships of living a criminal life. Although, Alex's begining up-beat attitude is what first caught my attention. "Welly welly welly welly welly welly well." Alex seemed to repeat himself a lot but you could never quite see what it means. If he was angry or happy or maybe just content with the situation "Hi hi hi Mr. Deltoid!" But these characters do interact well with eachother they all seemed right where they should be and none of them threw off any viewers. "Viddy well, little brother. Viddy well" I felt like i was right there with them watching their every move. The stage didnt look much like a stage. It could have actually not been one, if it was, then it was totally belivable as an actual town. There was just one scene you could tell was fake and that was the driving scene, but this was made in the 70's so i didn't expect many special effects making it better.

The Costuming used for this particular film was perfect with their matching outfits. It just made it more clear that they were 'one' with eachother, all part of the same group. And when they werent wearing those they just seemed how they should be, normal. Wearing a suit and tie, or just everyday clothes. The props the group always had were their hats and their canes. The canes they used pulled open yielding a small dagger used for their destruction. The cane/dagger was of course used to pummel people to the ground or to cut others. The lighting used was at a normal place, it was just right for the right parts and I thought the music was great. The songs chosen were just perfect for the movie they each had their own way of being unique and related completely with the scenes. I noticed a lot of "Ludwig Van Beetoven" (which happened to be Alex's favorite) was played throughout the movie and I thought that fit perfectly, the classic pieces were excellent for the parts. "welly welly welly welly welly well" that about raps it up for my reflection but I would like to give kudos to Kubrick for doing a great job or portraying the characters correctly and an overall fantastic job of directing. There is many others that agree, like a friend of mine that watched it with me "I didnt understand half of what they said, but it seemed pretty amazing." and that it was. I deeply recommend this movie, just be sure to pay attention and you'll find it just as thrilling as I did.