A Clockwork orange review
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE-REVIEW
While often seen as a controversial film in mainstream media, Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange is a masterpiece in its own way. For some people the adult themes and ultra violence easily over ride the interesting points and themes embedded into the story, however if you can look past the violent parts of the story-line you find yourself in the midst of a brilliantly presented moral conundrum. The story focuses on Alex, a morally questionable delinquent teen. While out with his gang of affectionately named 'Droogs' Alex commits a number of terrible crimes ranging from assault on the homeless to theft and fighting with gangs all the way to rape. However Alex's crime spree soon ends as he is caught by the police after being betrayed by his fellow gang members.
After a while of staying in prison for his crimes Alex hears news of a new psychological program to cure criminals of the want to commit crime.After hearing this Alex manages to volunteer for this experimental treatment in order to get out of prison as quickly as possible. When taken to a new facility to be treated Alex is given medication by force and is also forced to watch ultraviolet and sexual videos. After this treatment Alex can no longer commit any crime associated with violence or any kind of sexual violence as any attempt to commit these types of crimes causes him mental and physical pain due to his barbaric psychological treatments.
Kubrick uses this film as an allegory for the moral issue of free will while sticking true to the source material conceived in the book.The viewer is stuck with a moral question throughout the film as they come to understand that although this treatment will stop crime therefore reducing suffering,without Alex's free will and choice to commit crime Alex ceases to be human. Without true choice and free will in life we lose what it means to be a real human being .
Although Alex is an incredibly bad individual throughout the movie we as a viewer begin to sympathize with him Kubrick's character is an incredibly strong antihero. When released from prison Alex struggles to adjust to society again after receiving his harrowing treatment.Alex finds himself at the mercy of his previous victims from his last crime spree, however this time his violence preventing treatment prevents him from fighting back against them.As we see Alex hurt by his previous victims many viewers would feel confused as we feel sympathy for Alex, even though he clearly deserves his suffering after he himself harmed so many people in the past.Towards the end of the film Alex is driven to a suicide attempt after being unable to manage the harsh pains of no free will, however he does survive and Alex is freed and regains his free will again.
A Clockwork Orange is a heavily styled film with a meaning which will make the viewer question the workings of humanity,as the choice to be good or evil is a crucial part of human life and a lack of that choice strips away what it means to be alive .Kubrick uses fantastic shots full of colour and perspective, along with effective dialogue and music to create a believable story. Kubrick's choice to present the film from a glamorous psychopath's perspective also captivates the movie-goer and keeps them re-watching again and again.
I give A Clockwork Orange an 8.5/10.
While often seen as a controversial film in mainstream media, Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange is a masterpiece in its own way. For some people the adult themes and ultra violence easily over ride the interesting points and themes embedded into the story, however if you can look past the violent parts of the story-line you find yourself in the midst of a brilliantly presented moral conundrum. The story focuses on Alex, a morally questionable delinquent teen. While out with his gang of affectionately named 'Droogs' Alex commits a number of terrible crimes ranging from assault on the homeless to theft and fighting with gangs all the way to rape. However Alex's crime spree soon ends as he is caught by the police after being betrayed by his fellow gang members.
After a while of staying in prison for his crimes Alex hears news of a new psychological program to cure criminals of the want to commit crime.After hearing this Alex manages to volunteer for this experimental treatment in order to get out of prison as quickly as possible. When taken to a new facility to be treated Alex is given medication by force and is also forced to watch ultraviolet and sexual videos. After this treatment Alex can no longer commit any crime associated with violence or any kind of sexual violence as any attempt to commit these types of crimes causes him mental and physical pain due to his barbaric psychological treatments.
Kubrick uses this film as an allegory for the moral issue of free will while sticking true to the source material conceived in the book.The viewer is stuck with a moral question throughout the film as they come to understand that although this treatment will stop crime therefore reducing suffering,without Alex's free will and choice to commit crime Alex ceases to be human. Without true choice and free will in life we lose what it means to be a real human being .
Although Alex is an incredibly bad individual throughout the movie we as a viewer begin to sympathize with him Kubrick's character is an incredibly strong antihero. When released from prison Alex struggles to adjust to society again after receiving his harrowing treatment.Alex finds himself at the mercy of his previous victims from his last crime spree, however this time his violence preventing treatment prevents him from fighting back against them.As we see Alex hurt by his previous victims many viewers would feel confused as we feel sympathy for Alex, even though he clearly deserves his suffering after he himself harmed so many people in the past.Towards the end of the film Alex is driven to a suicide attempt after being unable to manage the harsh pains of no free will, however he does survive and Alex is freed and regains his free will again.
A Clockwork Orange is a heavily styled film with a meaning which will make the viewer question the workings of humanity,as the choice to be good or evil is a crucial part of human life and a lack of that choice strips away what it means to be alive .Kubrick uses fantastic shots full of colour and perspective, along with effective dialogue and music to create a believable story. Kubrick's choice to present the film from a glamorous psychopath's perspective also captivates the movie-goer and keeps them re-watching again and again.
I give A Clockwork Orange an 8.5/10.
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