Now, before I continue: I had been told that Clockwork Orange was this groundbreaking, detestably violent movie. I had heard tales of it being so rottenly sickening that it affected you for hours after.

So, it really wasn't all it was made up to be. Yes, there was violence throughout the movie, but it wasn't 'detestably violent.' Hell, I've seen more violence in a Stephen Segal movie. Groundbreaking? It may have been when it was released, but it definitely doesn't have the same impact today. It seems much more staged and fake than it must have when it was originally released in 1971.

What I did come away with from the movie was some interesting commentary on criminal reform and politics. Causing a Pavlovian reaction of physical illness to feelings of violence is an interesting idea -- but Pavlovian reactions break down over time without reinforcement. It was also interesting to see the commentary on British politicians -- first punishing Alex's violence, then 'curing it,' then finally encouraging it (in a clich‚d dystopic moment).

Overall, Clockwork Orange was a letdown. Perhaps I just don't buy into the whole Kubrick philosophy, but it just didn't strike me as a moment of cinematic greatness.