The War Genre Doesn't Get Better than This

Rating: 9/10 (24 November 2018)

Stanley Kubrick was one of the several filmmakers out there who was able to make multiple movies in different genres and succeed in flying colors. Whether it'd be science fiction in 2001, horror in The Shining, comedy in Dr. Strangelove and dystopian crime thrillers in Clockwork Orange. So it wouldn't be a surprise for him to create an epic war film, and Full Metal Jacket was that. Based on the autobiographical novel The Short Timers by Gustav Hasford, who also co-wrote the script, this film went on to gain massive critical acclaim and is often seen as one of Kubrick's best, and I definitely agree on that.
The general storyline revolves around the training of U.S. Marines, primarily on privates Joker and Pyle, who struggle to get through boot camp under the abusive drill instructor, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, and Joker's later experiences in the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War. Many have criticized the film's odd method of storytelling, where the first act is structured well enough as a raw visceral depiction of army training camps, and the last two feel disjointed and all over the place. However, I think that actually works in favor of the feature, because all the casualties that come about during the war battles are just as sporadic as any given military combat. This movie stares straight at the ugliness of war and how violent mankind can get without being preachy or heavily metaphorical.
The film does have plenty of humorous moments, such as during the combat training and the witty banter amongst Joker and the other marines, but they're no more in contrast to the harsh tones shown throughout. The scenes of private Pyle struggling throughout camp training may seem bitterly comedic at times, yet the horrific abuse given to the poor guy ends up creating a monster rather than a "killer". In addition, Vincent D'Onofrio did a great job displaying Pyle as sympathetic, both when he's miserable in combat practice, and when he starts going insane. That being said, the actor who really steals the show is R. Lee Ermey as Hartman himself, especially given that he was a Marine corps instructor prior to this film. His rapid fire insults are worthy of being cherished and he excels at being so brutally hard on all the corps that you don't want to cross his path.
Lastly, the cinematography, fighting scenes and scope of the whole film are beyond admirable. Kubrick was always a sucker for letting the emotions come through in the visuals, and this film is no exception just for how tragically violent the war scenes really are. Whenever private Joker is in actual combat, the stakes get ramped up to 11, and it's never easy to figure out what will happen to the corps next. The usage of lighting throughout scenes where the characters are in burnt out facilities is beautifully crafted, showcasing how hazardous yet surprisingly gorgeous fires and smoke can truly be. Also, I have to give credit to Kubrick for having this entire movie shot in England as opposed to Vietnam himself. Often that suspension of disbelief would be thrown out the window, but everything is so accurate that it becomes hard to realize that we're not actually in Southeast Asia.
I think James Rolfe put it best when he said that this is the kind of movie you only need to see once then you'll never forget it. Overall, despite being really brutal and tragic, Full Metal Jacket trumps through its depictions of dehumanization, its exuberant craftsmanship and stellar acting. If you are yet to check this film out, definitely give it a watch, for it's right up there with the greatest anti-war films of all time. It may leave you horrified, but it will still leave a massive impact on how terrifying war can really be. We never get a war film like this ever again, and that's what makes it one hell of a shoot out.