"war is hell"

Rating: 10/10 (16 April 2013)

WARNING: this review may contain spoilers
Full Metal Jacket is by far one of my favorite war movies. This movie, in my opinion is very much anti-war. Upon entering boot camp, the soldiers are still normal in the sense that they have not been stripped of their individuality. However,as we see with Sgt. Hartman's statements like, "You're not even human f-ing beings" and "you are all equally worthless," the marines are not made up of a group of individuals: they are a part of a mean, lean, fighting machine.
To become a part of this machine, the soldier has to be dehumanized. As we see in the film, the soldiers are subject to strict, systematic instruction that is supposed to bring about a methodical obedience. In this context, even the most harmless of men can become ruthless killers. This says a lot about human nature in general: we use violence to survive, or obtain peace and security. While this may be the ultimate goal and purpose of the military and war, Full Metal Jacket does a great job at painting a very different picture.
The soldiers leave boot camp ready to fight and kill. Raptor Man complains about not having to shoot his gun at all after 2 years of being in Vietnam. Other soldiers boast about how many kills they have had. It becomes clear that these soldiers are not fighting for honor, liberty, or whatever we are told by our government (at least in this context). They are doing what they are trained to do (or, as the logo says on Joker's helmet, "Born to Kill"). They are trained to kill the enemy, and all Vietnamese are seen as the enemy. The Vietnamese are not seen as human beings, which is made apparent when the soldier in the helicopter shoots at innocent civilians. While I realize this is not the case for every soldier, it does coincide with the whole idea of "war is hell." This is the picture Stanley Kubrick is trying to paint for us: war is hell, seemingly normal men are capable of committing atrocities against other human beings, and this is all in the name ofwhat?
I give this movie 10 out of 10. This movie is a must-see for fans of all genres. The acting, script, and cinematography is amazing!