Full Metal Jarhead

Rating: 5/10 (17 November 2005)

I just got back from the movie theater having seen "Jarhead". Although I would not say that it is a bad movie...I'd definitely go as far as to say its nowhere near its predecessors.
The movie had a strong feeling of hope to it. No, not the kind of emotional hope that war movies sometimes have. It had a hope to be something. Something great, a movie that would resonate. Unfortunately it did not achieve what it set out to do.
The actors kept giving out lines that seemed to be forced...not because they are bad actors...but because the script was nothing short of awful. I mean, "welcome to the suck", Honestly, wtf ? My nearly five year old niece could have written better lines! I feel sorry for the likes of Peter Saarsgard and Jake Gylenhaal. Both very gifted actors were given shite for lines. But this could also be due to what was cut from the movie.
As we all know movies usually lose hours, sometimes days of footage when edited. I have a strong feeling that a lot of footage was cut from this movie because there is a hint of a strong bond between Gylenhaal and Saarsgard but no real given reason for it. I mean when did they bond, really, cause all those weird little moments don't seem to be enough.
Its worth seeing but wait for it on video/DVD. Because no matter how hard it tries, lets face it! This movie is no Full Metal Jacket or Platoon, hell it isn't even a Saving Private Ryan or Black Hawk Down. And darling, I know my war movies...don't ask why or how I just enjoy them.
So, although visually pleasing and not bad overall...this movie undoubtedly was lost on the cutting room floor.