I hated it, then I loved it, then I hated it, then I loved it again

I was -23 years old when this film was released and I have not read the novel yet, but I really wanted to watch this film because of recommendations. I truly hated the beginning of the film because of the silly costumes and wigs and the foolish way they portrayed Alex and his gang of thugs (diaper-like costumes and fake Pinocchio nose and eye-lashes - wtf?) . Couldn't they do it without the random make-up and colorful arty decor (or is that in the book as well)? After Alex is sent to prison, that was when the movie became interesting and exciting to me. I was constantly asking myself 'is Alex merely pretending to be doing those things or do they actually change him for real?'. I also started loving the direction that the plot was going, with the government and the '1984' vibe ('1984' is my favorite book). But then I hated the way Alex's treatment was conveyed in the film - him burping to the point of choking and the sound of vomiting. I think they could've made a better job at conveying sickness and the feeling of death (e,g. suffocating, crawling on the floor, or even really vomiting). But in the end, I loved the 'what goes around comes around' moral aspect of the story (with his parents and former friends and former victims), and the way accessible art was incorporated into the story (Beethoven's music) and the part it plays in the plot. I thought this film would be utter nonsense to me for not having read the book, but I understood and resonated with the story. No other British actor could've played Alex like Malcolm McDowell did! He reminds me of a young Mick Jagger (combined with Evan Peters, at times) - which in fact almost happened, as Mick Jagger was rumored to be up for the role of Alex, with other members of the Rolling Stones potentially playing Alex's droogs, prior to Kubrick taking over the adaptation of A Clockwork Orange. Overall, pleasantly surprised with this film! It deserves its rating!