Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Full Metal Jacket

• Stanley Kubrick is a freaking magician. Nobody does filmmaking like he does. It's crazy how he can casually drop some of the greatest war films ever made, and ones that help define what a war film can truly be. He did a phenomenal job of his adaptation of the Vietnam War, and this film has a very serious message to it. Throughout the film, you see how war and physical training can take its toll on you, both physically and mentally. It's downright psychological abuse. There is one specific scene (you know which) where you see a certain character completely snap, and quite honestly, I was left horrified the first time, and it's even more disturbing the second time. It was such a tragic yet great turning point in the film, yet one of the most effective tone shifts you'll ever see. Although it was disturbing, I’m glad Kubrick went ahead with it. You physically get to see the mental impact of war and boot camp, and it was a unique and almost educational experience. The ending scene also has the same level of effectiveness. There's also a debate on which half of this film is the best. Let me put it this way: the first half is one of the best first halves in any film ever, and the second half is one of the best second halves in any film ever. All in all, it's one of the best films ever made. The acting in its entirety is absolutely superb, especially R. Lee Ermey, Matthew Modine, and Vincent D’Onofrio. Ermey absolutely killed it as Hartman, and though he was nominated for a Golden Globe, I was shocked he didn’t get a nod from the Academy. I think if he was in the entire film then he easily gets a nomination. Modine and D’Onofrio also fit their characters well, and I’m really glad they were cast. I also really loved the soundtrack, which fits the time and vibe. Overall, it's a deep, hollow, and depressing film that portrays war as it is, and also shows how innocent men are turned into empty killing machines. The first half can be humorous and occasionally make you laugh, and the second half is borderline horror. Again, Kubrick knows cinema. There will never be anyone who can even remotely operate on the same level that he can. I would recommend this to all war/drama fans. This film is officially Berry Approved, so go watch it now!