A bit of the old...ultraviolence...

Rating: 10/10 (12 December 2018)

"Oh? And what's so stinking about it?"
Well, according to my fellow reviewers, it glorifies violence (especially towards women,) it's too weird, the language is too hard to understand, it doesn't stick close enough to the book, it's misogynistic, it's too long and boring, the main character is unlikable and it's just stupid!
Is it?
This happens to be my favorite film ever and I have seen a lot of movies. I was twelve when I first watched A Clockwork Orange. I heard it was violent and there were boobs and (being a psychotic, hormonal pre-teen) I instantly wanted to watch it. The film blew my mind!
This film depicts "graphic horrors" but are they any worse than the horrors depicted in Schindler's List? Is it ok when a serious film (based on a true story) shows deplorable violence but not when a weird artsy film does it?
Is it really too weird for your taste? It's significantly less weird than Donnie Darko (which many people enjoy.) The language isn't any harder to understand than Shakespeare. As with Shakespeare, you should be able to figure it out in context. If you can't, read a book!
Speaking of the book, the book is centered around (much) younger people and much younger victims. It would be fairly impossible to depict the book in a screen format without somebody going to jail. The only reason people EVER bring up the book is because the ending is different (and they hate that.) Sorry that the book ends on a happier note but not every film needs to have a Hollywood ending. Hopefully you're open minded enough to agree to that statement.
If the film was truly misogynistic, it would depict women in a much more negative sense. Just because the women in the film are naked a lot and bad things happen to them, that doesn't instantly make it misogynistic. If it was actually misogynistic, the women would be depicted as dumb. They're not.
If you can't handle watching a movie for less than two and a half hours, steer clear of Lawrence of Arabia, Gone with the Wind, The Godfather and don't even try to watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It's not that long and it's not boring if you actually try to pay attention to it. Sorry it's not Transformers 3.
The main character is meant to be a monster. A lot of characters are. You know, like Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. If you can't find that Alex's zest for life isn't fun or at least entertaining enough to drive the film then don't bother watching (again) Lawrence of Arabia or (again) The Godfather. The main characters in those films are essentially villains as well. Don't bother with Bonnie and Clyde either.
If you find this movie stupid...I feel sorry for you. This film is actually insanely smart, even to the point where it's a high camp, overly melodramatic (and purposefully so) black comedy (which most people don't seem to understand.) If you find this film stupid, perhaps it is you that is...
So, why is it my favorite film? Imagine my surprise when I watched something that changed my life when all I wanted was blood and nudity. That's how powerful this film is. It took a crazy, weirdo (me) and changed my mindset. I am still a crazy weirdo but I learned to control myself and channel my negative thoughts into positive actions because of this movie.
The plot is basic but becomes complex. A terrible kid named Alex (McDowell) goes out with his friends nightly and strikes terror in people's hearts by committing crimes against society. What happens next will throw you for a loop!
The cinematography is nothing short of masterful. It's the equivalent of watching The Mona Lisa move. The acting is superbly over the top (which is part of the fun.) The message is STRONG and is more "happy" than you may initially think. There's a reason an X-Rated film that people hate on and find so controversial was nominated for Oscars and is still on AFI's and IMDB's Top 100 list.
Don't listen to the naysayers! Bring your attention, your open mind and a strong stomach. It's violent, long and weird but it's not much worse than many other films you've no doubt seen. It may just change your life or at the very least, get your Id out!