Well, pilgrim, only after ya...

Rating: 9/10 (28 May 2012)

IMDb Top 250: 87
Like Joker's view of men, Full Metal Jacket is filled with duality: in the plot, structure, characters and theme. The only singular conclusion that can be drawn is that it is a great film, one of Kubrick's best.
Famously FMJ follows Private Joker's time in boot camp, and then part of his experience in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. Primarily the film is about 'dehumanization', saying that the war experience strips men of their identities. But, unlike many, many war films, this is not in tandem with the message of "war is bad". I found that Full Metal Jacket doesn't choose to suggest that nature or civilians suffer, or convey the futility of war, but instead to primarily push that the soldiers involved lost a part of their humanity. I also fond the film to be decidedly pro- war, at least in comparison to films. This is suggested by the attitude of the soldiers, shown laughing and joking with each other, shooting up the bad guys with upbeat rock n' roll playing.I'm not saying Kubrick was pro- war, as he has made several films with opposite intentions, but that this is an interestingly refreshing angle for a war film.
Characters are a key strength here, with a very colourful cast. Most notably and iconic is Hartman with his incredible insults. Of course he's scary and dominates every scene for the first half of the film, but some of his material is very funny, like his view on Texans and Lawrence (of what, Arabia?). I'd comment on the extraordinary script here, but R. Lee Ermey improvised many of his lines. But the script is excellent, with the film summary being a favourite quote of mine. Hartman's tone, scary and funny, is present throughout, wavering constantly, as the line between light and heavy material is often straddled.
Our protagonist is nicknamed Private Joker, and that's all we really learn about him. He's the straight character in this zany world, levelheaded and intelligent. I'm reminded of Nick from The Great Gatsby, but more likable and witty. But not even worldly Joker is safe from the effects of the war he observes in others.
Then there's poor, Private Pyle. All Hartman wanted to do was weed out the weak, to avoid sending the unprepared into the heat of combat. He was tough, very tough, probably too tough, as shown by the comparison between Hartman and Joker's teaching methods. However he was excellently acted and believably led to the shocking conclusion.
I've forgot to mention with the past several Kubrick films how technically strong they are, but I can't avoid it with this one. The sets are lively, the sound is booming, the costumes have personality and the cinematography is strong. It's difficult to believe the whole thing was shot in Britain.
Full Metal Jacket is one of the best war movies ever made, affecting its viewers in a way I can't quite understand. This is one of Kubrick's finest, and one of the most prolific pieces of pop culture he made. Witty, somber, outstanding. 9.0/10