Full Metal Jacket- Review

The 80s just wouldn't be the 80s without a fine selection of Vietnam War films, collectively the biggest decade for it. As devastating as the Vietnam War truly was, it sure sparked a lot of great content and perspective through these films. Quite easily, Full Metal Jacket stands out from the crowd and is a favourite within my household.

Brutal, offensive and unapologetically hilarious, Stanley Kubrick delivers again, bringing with him Matthew Modine, Vincent D'Onofrio and R. Lee Ermey.

This film follows the lives of new recruits in the process of their basic training hell, tackling obstacles and abuse in order to toughen them up for the true horrors that await them in the outside world.

The performances: Matthew Modine played the role of Private Joker, a well-liked and amiable lead who balances brutality in his line of duty with a softness shown to fellow soldiers much considered his family. Originally this role was considered for Val Kilmer (whom later prepositioned Modine for a fight, claiming that he "stole his role") and then later given to Anthony Michael Hall who was sacked after creative differences between himself and Kubrick. It's easier to know that Matthew earned this role and made it so believable.

Vincent D'Onofrio played the role of Private "Gomer Pyle" (after the television show character), an overweight and dim-witted recruit. I had a good time watching Vincent's character because there were so many scenes where he made me laugh just by being himself. What's more though, is that Private Pyle becomes all too real and literally becomes the face of war. Vincent did a brilliant job bringing his characterisation to life and was successfully able to reach a empathetic/ sympathetic audience.

Perhaps my favourite role, if for a smaller period of time; R. Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. A little bit of trivia behind this role, Ermey was in the Military prior to taking on this role and was even sent to fight in the Vietnam War. His entire dialogue was improvised and stemmed from everything he was subjected to during his time in the Military. Every time he opened his mouth to speak, I'd fall to pieces. He was hilariously real and left no recruit without a derogatory comment.

Whilst I didn't have any problems with this film in the slightest, I do feel that the first half was the strongest part. It's a popular opinion but for me, the dialogue and the balancing of comedy with brutality was just on that higher par. The entire movie is still exceptional though and this can easily be overlooked.

Stanley Kubrick doesn't falter once with this film and has handled it with the best of care, research and time. So much time that it was said Matthew Modine got married, had a child and even celebrated that child's first birthday in the process of completing this film.

A treasured piece of history that belongs on every shelf.

Score: 10/10