Empty vessel is right......

Rating: 5/10 (12 January 2006)

A Jarhead, we are told during this film, is the "nickname" for a US Marine and the implication is that he is an empty vessel. So it is with a certain amount of amusement that the term Jarhead also fits this movie very nicely.
It is empty. Devoid of interest. Actually, the early part of the movie isn't too bad. But once the film moves beyond the Marine's training and heads out to the desert, you should consider heading out of the theatre. Nothing remotely interesting happens. Instead we are treated to what I assume is meant to be a shocking indictment of war, the men that fight it and the futility of it.
The movie does sum up one thing rather well, however. I heard a comment some time ago, about how war is "99% boredom followed by 1% of panic-ridden terror". This movie takes that comment to the extreme by providing a few minutes of interest in an otherwise dull two hours running time.
Summary: It's a war-movie and not that good. Characters appear one-dimensional and the story is flat and uninteresting. With the exception of Wind-Talkers its far and away the most boring war film I've watched in the past few years.