Sooo I (finally) watched Dr Strangelove.

This was one of those movies that, for some reason, I kept postponing seeing even though references are everywhere. Pretty much like "No, I am your father", the scene of a mad pilot riding a bomb like a horse is iconic and constantly parodied, but does the source material holds up?

SO WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Dr Strangelove is a black comedy about how the rampant paranoia, egotism, insanity and stupidity of mankind flirts, if not downright dives headfirst into the apocalypse. During the cold war, a mad north american general decides that the best course of action to protect his fluids from communism (Yes. You read it right) is to fabricate an emergency in order to send nuclear bombers into an attack run against soviet Russia. Only he knows the codes to cancel these orders, and no one else is capable of reaching the planes due security measures. Now all that stands between mankind and total annihilation is... stupidity. And unhealthy doses of bad luck.

VISUALS

By now, the mad genius of Stanley Kubrick is as well known as his creations, and while he doesn't innovate or blow minds as he did with 2001: A Space Odyssey, he doesn't shy away from angles, shots and techniques that are sorely missed nowadays. A stupid speech that would be normally target of ridicule turns into a haunting expression of how insane are the people in power through simple camera work. People battling for the future of mankind are turned into a hilariously bitter black comedy with a simple shot that shows a sign contrasting with everything that is going on. Kubrick chose to deliberately to shoot the movie black-and-white (for reasons unknown to me), and honestly, while the effects of the B-52 bomber flying are obviously dated and can't even hold a shred of a candle to his most innovative films, it works very well here, enhancing the sense that everything is a farce. A deadly farce.

The scenarios and backgrounds are also top-notch. The War Room is famous through movie enthusiasts, and the replicated bomber cockpit was so good, the movie ended under investigation under suspicion of espionage.

There is a ton of sexual innuendos on purpose, I've read the movie being described as "A dick race to destruction" and it seems fitting. But let's be honest, its Kubrick, perfectionist to a literally insane degree, so every single nuanced analysis, innuendo or shot is on purpose. The famous scene of the War Room was shot as if the generals were playing poker with the fate of mankind as stakes, so its no surprise to see that the whole movie rides on sex jokes (pun intended).

WRITING

Kubrick is also famous with his adaptations, and as usual this isn't an exception. This movie was based on a book called "Red Alert", and... I will be honest, I never expected Kubrick of all people to make a comedy, but he did it and he nailed it. From interviews, it seems that he tried to make a serious movie, but after realizing that he would have to remove a lot of material and scenes due to the nonsensical inherent human nature, he changed his mind and betted all his chips into going full comedy. And it works, it works hauntingly well to the point this movie overshadowed the book it originated from and competing serious movies of similar themes. All characters truly believe in what they are saying, no matter how stupid or ludicrous, and try to be serious, no matter how insane their behavior is. So its a hilarious comedy until you realize that everything in the movie could, and still can happen in real life. Yes, everything. The story is gripping, the stakes are high, the action is gritty, and its still hilarious.

Watching this, I couldn't help but keeping comparing to "Don't Look Up", and frankly this movie is insanely better, even if the themes are similar, because it nails something that is sorely lacking nowadays: The idea that, while our leaders are insane and stupid, not every stupid person is evil, and not everyone in power is stupid. There are several characters that are actually competent and try their best to stop the lit fuse from triggering the nuclear winter. While "Don't Look Up" was realistic to the point of seriously angering me, it failed as showing that mankind as a whole is completely apathetic. Here, even the incompetent president played by Peter Sellers knows the severity of the problem and tries to stop it.

Speaking of characterization, be by luck or skill, Kubrick got a superb team. Every actor fits their character like a glove and vice-versa, and acting is stellar. Peter Sellers is always bombastic (pun intended) playing three completely different roles, elevating the whole movie to new heights, George C. Scott was famously tricked in playing against type into the buffoon General Buck, Slim Pickens fit the role of Major Kong perfectly, and it was amazing to see Sterling Hayden play General Ripper and talk about 'commies corrupting bodily fluids' without cracking in laughter, completely serious.

Frankly, its a tad saddening that this movie is only known for one or two scenes, when its chock full of really good moments and quotes.

SOUNDTRACK

The music used isn't new, but its used in interesting ways in variations of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" enhancing the sense that doom is coming due to overzealous patriotism and the skill of ignorant people who are just following orders, and the ending music is especially haunting and grim.

MISCELLANEA

Look, kids! It's James Earl Jones! You know, the guy who voiced Darth Vader!

Final Thoughts

So it comes no surprise that I'd still Absolutely recommend this movie, especially nowadays. While it may be outdated in several points, its still a shockingly current movie with haunting effects. And hilarious to booth.

If you read this far, thank you very much! I do these reviews as a hobby (to practice writing) and I'm always open to suggestions and feedback. If you wanna read more, check https://hypeimmune.wordpress.com/

Edit: Holy heck, this... this is the first time my review gets into the frontpage! Thank you very, very much everyone! I have no words on how to thank you!