Directorial Similarities with Full Metal Jacket

Rating: 7/10 (15 February 2007)

I watched this movie with interest, because there were so many directorial similarities with Full Metal Jacket. The stories and content of the two movies were different, of course, but in many ways "Jarhead" appeared to be a sort of directorial tribute to Stanley Kubrick's directorial tour de force, in Full Metal Jacket.
The linguistic style of the main characters' narratives in both movies was similar. There were also similarities in the use of camera angles of the Marines in formation as they moved through combat areas; silhouette shots of Marines, with fire behind them; etc.
This post should NOT be taken as a criticism, because many creative and innovative directors - such as Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang - have been honored by other directors who may, from time to time, adapt certain stylistic techniques.
Among the better directorial techniques was the use of subdued sepia tones to depict the monotony of day to day life in the desert.
Overall, I thought the movie was a good one, although I would have liked to see a little backstory on some of the Marines in the group.