Objectification of the Individual

Rating: 10/10 (10 November 1999)

Marines are not drafted. One must volunteer to get in. So these characters wanted to be part of the best killing machine for whatever reason. I am gratified to read here that real Marines commend the real nature of the depiction. The Boot Camp Sergeant is real, as is the blanket party. The men must be stripped of any ego and humanity in order to survive war intact as a unit. I've said it before and I'll say it again -- Great Literature about war is about Objectification of the Individual -- Go ahead and re-read Achilles' treatment of Hector's body in the Illiad if you have any questions. This movie makes that point with its two halves. Just think about how each character dealt with Boot Camp and then the War. And for fans of Private Ryan I challenge you to compare the sniper scenes in the two movies! The former makes it a sad scene, this movie makes it a real life horror nightmare akin to the surreal bridge sniper scene in Apocalypse Now. Deer Hunter gives you before and after, FMJ gives you some glimpse into the how and why.
A masterpiece for any director, but seemingly a disappointment for those who expected -- what? -- from this one. Glitz? Dream sequences? A music video? No it's real Kubrick allright. It explores the individual in the context of the environment and how that makes and changes the individual. And very nicely displays the effect on every single character from the soldiers to the hookers and the enemy.