Ermey's Outbursts Made This Film Famous

Rating: 6/10 (29 March 2007)

Well, the drill sergeant in this film certainly was memorable. No one will argue that. How good this film is overall, however, is up to debate. My feeling is that it's overrated because Stanley Kubrick - a favorite of critics - directed the movie and helped write the screenplay.
It's notable, mainly for the ultra-profane and ultra-color descriptions that Lee Ermey uses as "Gny. Sgt. Hartman," the Parris Island Marine drill-gunnery sergeant. Hearing several of his tirades is something you won't forget!
At times, the film is too hard-edged, too political, too preachy and just not a smooth enough story. You know it could be much better.
Yes, if my ears can stand the assault, Ermey can be fun to hear, and young, fat Vincent D'Onofrio as "Pvt. Pyle," the victim of the sergeant's rage, terminates his boss in a memorable scene, the main character of the film is "Pvt. Joker," played by Matthew Modine, and I didn't like the guy. Maybe that's another reason I don't rate this film as highly as others. I couldn't root for the guy the scriptwriters made as the "good guy."
The clincher came when Pvt. Joker told the sergeant he didn't believe in the Virgin Mary, which got him points with the sarge. Being a non-Believer meant the "kid is all right." That, of course, is ultra-secular Kubrick getting his atheist propaganda in, something he did in several of his films.
After watching several years of the TV program, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, it would be interesting (and strange) go back now and see D'Onofrio again. I probably wouldn't recognize him. After watching him as the dignified Sherlock-Holmes type "Detective Robert Goren," I don't know if I want to see him back in this role, however!