Hilarious, visually stunning and brutal- Fantastically capturing the feel of war.

Rating: 9/10 (5 April 2016)

Full Metal Jacket is a 1987 Vietnam war film, directed by Stanley Kubrick and stars Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D'Onofrio and R.Lee Ermey. What instantly stands out from an initial viewing is the fantastic mix of dark and black comedy with the much more poignant tone and effects of war, mainly the toll it takes on the soldiers both psychologically and physically. Kubrick stunningly captures the look, feel and atmosphere of Vietnam as well as an accurate representation of the mindset of those involved, with a colourful cast of quirky, naive and near- psychotic characters each one showing their moulding for war and the devastating damage it has on them. Accompanied with light-hearted and at times horror-esque soundtrack, Full Metal Jacket shows the contrasts not just in it's story and visuals but with its impressive scores. Despite it's praises, there are some notable flaws with the film these being in the films pacing. At times (generally through its middle act) little is done to advance the plot, with random interviews that feel a little out of place and slightly exposition heavy. However, the film's beginning and end are the definitive moments of not just presenting a story but showing a progressive journey of one soldiers descent into near insanity. The action is grand, the comedy is hilarious and the war is brutal. Full Metal Jacket is one of the greatest war films ever made. 9/10