Probably great then, but slightly timeworn now

Rating: 7/10 (15 October 2013)

I am sure I had seen this movie before, probably after its release, but I had no reminiscences - probably due to being too young. As for Stanley Kubrick, I have ambivalent feelings towards him: I consider him talented and distinctive, but there are two movies being uninteresting to me - Dr. Strangelove and 2001: A Space Odyssey... True, all his later films I have found to be at least good, if not more, and the one in question is definitely a good movie.
Full Metal Jacket consists of two rather different parts, with only two connecting characters - "Joker" and "Cowboy". The first part is more intensive and versatile, and many elements have been later used both in other "serious" movies and in parodies. R. Lee Ermey (as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman) fills in the screen in total, the roles by Matthew Modine and Vincent D'Onofrio could have been more psychological, too much focus on field training and barrack environment. Part 2 - already in Vietnam - is more arid, with many shootings and wrecked buildings resemble battles in Stalingrad, with the exception of climate... The actors are not catchy and scenes depicting one idea or event are too long. The ending could have been more sophisticated as well.
Not a bad war movie, but I still like some later ones more, e.g. Platoon, Saving Private Ryan, Stalingrad.