Full Metal Jacket Wannabe

Rating: 5/10 (5 March 2020)

Perhaps the most cliché war movie I have ever seen - it was far too busy trying to be a modern version of 'Full Metal Jacket' to aspire to anything else. Great production, lots of potential but it is all wasted which is a real shame. Jake Gyllenhaal tries to be 'pvt joker' from FMJ here with his similar narration but it doesn't work at all.
Speaking of actors, I'm not sure if it was the directors fault or what but they are all just way too unhinged. Jamie Foxx did do a good job (and is THE exception to my criticisms) and Jake gave it his all, but I cannot buy any of these guys as marines, they just come off as tryhards, jockeys, ect.
The film is so directionless at times... I should have loved this movie but honestly the characters annoyed the crap out of me so much I could not stay interested.
If given slight changes to script, a different director and editor this film could have been something.
5/10, sadly mediocre. Go do yourself a favor and watch 'Generation Kill', it's everything this film wasn't.