Jokers Wild & Hookers Are Cheap @ 10 Bucks A Piece

Rating: 8/10 (23 April 2009)

This film is really 2 films. The first is a depiction of Marines Basic Training at Paris Island. The second is a depiction of Vietnam. The only real connection is Joker between the 2 parts. Otherwise this is really 2 separate films.
Basic training creates 4 strong characters and then kills two of them at the end of it. The second half keeps Joker & sets up a couple of strong leads. When you compare this film to what other film makers were making in 1987, it is a good film. When you compare it to other Stanley Kubrick films, it is a weaker film. Even Kubicks weaker films are better than most.
If your a military person looking for accuracy, this is Kubick. Kubrick is a story teller, not into reality. If you don't think so, don't forget his best films like Clockwork Orange, Dr. Strangelove, and The Shining are all fiction or Science Fiction films. Considering their brilliance, why would you expect accuracy here. What this film does is tell two good stories and entertain the audience.
Kudos to the choices of rock songs for the sound track. The music choices are outstanding. As far as the story, the first half ending is rather predictable. The reason that this film does not measure up to Kubricks best is that it goes from the first half to the second with no real connection.
A warning, this is not for younger children as the language in the first half really is salty. A weaker Kubrick film but this film does have some brilliant flashes.