The best Vietnam War film

Rating: 9/10 (6 February 2008)

Stanley Kubrick's works can be a little heavy at times and that is mainly due to his focus on dehumanisation. So if you are a more sensitive and purist type, you may be end up sitting through films like this.
Full Metal Jacket is basically divided into two parts. The training and the war itself. The Paris Island section of the film is deeply visceral, well paced, well plotted and capped off with supreme acting.
However, the second section almost seems to be a different film altogether. The action again is terrific, plotting is strong as is the tension and sorrow of the war itself. However, after the powerhouse first section, the second section tends to lag. I think that ultimately, the first section was simply too strong rather than the second section being too weak and the change of atmosphere ever so slightly lets it down and costs it a star.