A very unique war film...

Rating: 8/10 (3 February 2005)

Full Metal Jacket is a rarity, a war film that, like "Deer Hunter" is not about way as much as one would assume. This movie is far more psychological than physical, and is roughly divided into 2 parts. The first is the boot camp part, and the second is the actual Vietnam tour of duty. The first part is absolutely incredible. If this were the movie, I would give it 10/10. We see privates Joker, Cowboy, Pyle, Snowball, and others, (mocking nicknames given to them by caustic drill sergeant Hartman) at boot camp, trying to endure the abuse and psychological brutality that the drill sergeant throws at them. Hartman is one of the all time favorite movie characters, and has the most imaginative ways of insulting people I've ever heard. While hilarious, it is also very disturbing to watch, as he routinely humiliates and demeans this young men. Then they go to Vietnam. The second part is certainly not as good as the first, but, contrary to what people say, it is certainly great, and not bad. They encounter a variety of odd and unique circumstances not often seen in war films; Vietnamese hookers and pimps, mass graves, propaganda, and, most memorably, insanity. The scene I refer to is the scene in which they are flying in the helicopter to their destination. The door gunner, more animal than human, and completely psychotic, is shooting at the fleeing civilians below, killing dozens, and laughing about it as he does. A scene that I did not easily forget. Obviously, this film is not for the kiddies. The language is harsh (particularly with Hartman) with at least 75 f words. The violence is realistic and gory, in particular a graphic suicide, and there are the aforementioned hookers. While not as masterful as some war movies, this nevertheless is a classic, and should be owned by any movie/history buff.