Seven-six-two millimeter. Full metal jacket.

Rating: 9/10 (28 May 2007)

I love Vincent D'Onofrio. I am one of the few that think that "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" is the best of the three because of him. He is an outstanding actor, and I have seen him in many films, but this tops them all for him.
The first 45 minutes of this film is a movie unto itself as we watch the interplay between the f*ck-up Pvt. Pyle (D'Onofrio) and the drill sergeant (R. Lee Ermey). Ermey played a brilliant over-the-top drill sergeant that would definitely scare anyone out of joining the Marines. His dance with Pvt. Pyle comes to a predictable end as Pyle is transformed into a killing machine. The whole movie is worth this 45 minutes.
The Official line: "Son, all I've ever asked of my marines is that they obey my orders as they would the word of God. We are here to help the Vietnamese, because inside every gook there is an American trying to get out. It's a hardball world, son. We've gotta keep our heads until this peace craze blows over."
After the first 45 minutes, we move into combat. This is where you see real combat soldiers, not some wannabes that look like they are auditioning for Universal Soldier.
The soldier's line: "If I'm gonna get my balls blown off for a word, my word is poontang."
"Personally, I think, uh... they don't really want to be involved in this war. You know, I mean... they sort of took away our freedom and gave it to the, to the gookers, you know. But they don't want it. They'd rather be alive than free, I guess. Poor dumb bastards."
Written and directed by Stanley Kubrick, this is the definitive Vietnam War movie.
Beisdes Ermey and D'Onofrio. it has Adam Baldwin (Cruel Doubt, Independence Day), Matthew Modine (Short Cuts, Streamers, Notting Hill) and Dorian Harewood (Gothika, Glitter).
Semper Fi!