A vibrant and innovative journey into identity

Rating: 9/10 (6 October 2007)

The more I watch Stanley Kubrick films, the more I love them. They have a certain quality and innovation that makes them a step beyond the typical movie. A Clockwork Orange is no different.
The film follows a period in the life of a young man named Alex deLarge. It takes place in a futuristic totalitarian Britain, where the government attempts to "cure" crime. Alex is part of a gang that assaults women to please their own instinctual urges. After killing a woman and being betrayed by his friends, he is arrested and experiences the harsh environment of prison. While still in prison, he discovers religion and yearns for a day when he will be "good".
The thing that really caught my attention was the creative use of colors. This becomes obvious right from the starting title, which is has a bold red background. Other uses of color include the white and black outfits of the gang and the decorations of the rooms (the design of Alex's bed cloth especially sticks out). The music mostly consists of classical tunes from Beethoven, which mixes with the color to create a vibrant atmosphere. This, along with some of full frontal nudity, makes the film truly feel like a work of art.
The performance by Malcolm McDowell as Alex is priceless. The rest of the acting in general is good, and the characters are very interesting. Its neat to see how their actions towards Alex are reversed from the first half to the second half. I found the Chief Guard to be an especially likable character; he serves as a comedic diversion during some of the darker scenes in the middle.
A Clockwork Orange is rich in themes that include identity, choice, forgiveness, and crime. Kubrick creates a world that absorbs viewers without any effort and leaves them in awe. The movie itself is a journey that takes you through an experience that you would not have otherwise. It may even change the way you look at criminals. This is a movie not to be passed up!