Based on the novel "The Short Timers" by Gustav Hasford, Full Metal Jacket is one of the best war movies about the Vietnam War along with memorable performances from Matthew Modine, Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey, Adam Baldwin, Arliss Howard, and Dorian Harewood. Having returned after being away since The Shining (1980), Director Stanley Kubrick showcases his brilliance once again bringing Full Metal Jacket to life on the big screen which was met with critical acclaim and also a hit at the box office. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Full Metal Jacket is divided into two parts. The first half of the movie takes place on Parris Island where recruit training takes place. Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann (the late R. Lee Ermey) is the senior drill instructor who ruthlessly puts the new recruits through a brutal boot camp transforming them into Marines with the intention of producing Marines ready to go into battle. Private Joker (Matthew Modine) is the main character in the movie and we meet him alongside other new recruits such as Gomer Pyle (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Cowboy (Arliss Howard). Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann is verbally and physically abusive to the recruits though he sees himself as hard but fair. The second half of the movie takes place in the city of Hue in Vietnam. Joker has since been promoted to Sergeant and is now a war correspondent unlike other recruits who have gone on to join the infantry. While in Vietnam, Joker befriends fellow war correspondent Raftermann (Kevyn Major Howard) who are both assigned to cover the war. Joker also meets fellow marines including Animal Mother (Adam Baldwin), Eightball (Dorian Harewood), Lieutenant Touchdown (Ed O'Ross), and the sadistic doorgunner (Tim Colceri). Joker also witnesses the horrors of the war first hand but his sarcastic and dry humour have never gone away. As well as meeting many marines with colourful personalities, he finds himself caught up in the middle of combat as well as the Tet Offensive and the climax where a sniper targets the Platoon.
Matthew Modine shines alongside Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Baldwin, Arliss Howard, Dorian Harewood and Kevyn Major Howard. The standout in the movie is the late R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann. He is foul mouthed and full of colourful and derogatory insults and is seen striking the recruits. Though he sees himself as hard but fair, he is seen as a vicious bully who he has the single minded task of moulding the recruits into US Marines ready to kill the enemy.
The late Stanley Kubrick did a brilliant job as writer and director. Though the movie was meant to take place in Parris Island, South Carolina and Vietnam, the entire movie was filmed in England.
Full Metal Jacket was one of many movies released in the 1980's depicting the Vietnam War. It's captivating, disturbing, dark, and brilliant. Full Metal Jacket is still regarded as one of the best war movies of all time.
A well deserved 10/10.
Full Metal Jacket is divided into two parts. The first half of the movie takes place on Parris Island where recruit training takes place. Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann (the late R. Lee Ermey) is the senior drill instructor who ruthlessly puts the new recruits through a brutal boot camp transforming them into Marines with the intention of producing Marines ready to go into battle. Private Joker (Matthew Modine) is the main character in the movie and we meet him alongside other new recruits such as Gomer Pyle (Vincent D'Onofrio) and Cowboy (Arliss Howard). Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann is verbally and physically abusive to the recruits though he sees himself as hard but fair. The second half of the movie takes place in the city of Hue in Vietnam. Joker has since been promoted to Sergeant and is now a war correspondent unlike other recruits who have gone on to join the infantry. While in Vietnam, Joker befriends fellow war correspondent Raftermann (Kevyn Major Howard) who are both assigned to cover the war. Joker also meets fellow marines including Animal Mother (Adam Baldwin), Eightball (Dorian Harewood), Lieutenant Touchdown (Ed O'Ross), and the sadistic doorgunner (Tim Colceri). Joker also witnesses the horrors of the war first hand but his sarcastic and dry humour have never gone away. As well as meeting many marines with colourful personalities, he finds himself caught up in the middle of combat as well as the Tet Offensive and the climax where a sniper targets the Platoon.
Matthew Modine shines alongside Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Baldwin, Arliss Howard, Dorian Harewood and Kevyn Major Howard. The standout in the movie is the late R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann. He is foul mouthed and full of colourful and derogatory insults and is seen striking the recruits. Though he sees himself as hard but fair, he is seen as a vicious bully who he has the single minded task of moulding the recruits into US Marines ready to kill the enemy.
The late Stanley Kubrick did a brilliant job as writer and director. Though the movie was meant to take place in Parris Island, South Carolina and Vietnam, the entire movie was filmed in England.
Full Metal Jacket was one of many movies released in the 1980's depicting the Vietnam War. It's captivating, disturbing, dark, and brilliant. Full Metal Jacket is still regarded as one of the best war movies of all time.
A well deserved 10/10.