"Full Metal Jacket": Disconnected yet Superior

Even though many people believe war is hell, this film demonstrates how the actual war might not be the worst part of the military experience.

"Full Metal Jacket" is probably one of Stanley Kubrick's more lackluster films, but it's still pretty great.  The first part of the film follows the happenings of a military training camp with a brutal drill instructor.  The second part focuses on the Vietnam War, with two journalists doing reporting on a squad fighting in the war.

The themes are very interesting because the film suggests the military boot camp can cause just as much trauma as the actual war.  Many of the soldiers act like savages, which the film presents as a possible result of their rigorous training.

"I think the trauma would come from the actual war...," said Ben Wheaton.  "I don't think anything can prepare you for seeing your buddy getting shot."

The cinematography and camera movement are incredible, of course.  Kubrick does a great job with the longer shots because he makes nearly everything about the filmmaking have a purpose within the story.  

There are a lot of symmetrical and orderly shots in the first half, then some really nice-looking ones towards the end.  Especially in the beginning, the monotony of the shots and landscape becomes somewhat intoxicating, drawing the viewer in through the sheer repetition of everything.  Towards the second half, "Full Metal Jacket" begins to look a bit more cinematic, with shots of the war landscape as well as the nature of Vietnam.

The dialogue is good, for the most part.  There are a few character development scenes that come off as a little too exaggerated, but the outstanding scenes outnumber the mediocre ones.

There are two stand-out performances in this film, the first being R. Lee Ermey as the drill instructor.  He was actually a part of the marine corps brought on to be a consultant for the film, but he put together a video of him going on a verbal tirade that was made up completely on the spot.  Ermey played the role so well that Kubrick gave him the role.

The second performance is from Vincent D'Onofrio, which doesn't get as much respect as it deserves.  This performance is much more subdued from the others, but the transformation of this character is by far the most powerful aspect about this movie.  

"I thought it was interesting that the guy went crazy at the beginning of the movie," said Chris Exsted, my father.

I find this film difficult to categorize because it is divided into two halves.  The first half of the film is pretty much separate from the story told at the second half, and the actual ending pales in comparison to the incredible halfway point of the film.

Comedians never start out with their funniest joke because they risk everything coming after being perceived as unfunny.  This is my main issue with the film.  Nearly everything about the first half is performed better and more subtly than the second.  

After an emotional buildup and release around halfway through the film, it becomes a generic war film.  The major problem with this is that the audience is most likely still thinking about the powerful first part, and I feel the second part doesn't add much substance to the messages brought forth in the beginning.  

The best films are not the films that are necessarily packed with the best content, they are the ones that flow the best and feel like they're going somewhere.  I want to walk out of a film feeling satisfied because of how well the whole was structured and worked together perfectly to create a piece of art.  

That being said, the second part is still good.  I enjoy the journalist's perspective and the satirical tone, even if it does become a little grating at how obvious everything is.  The last scene of the film is also pretty great; it's not overtly political, but it creates a conflicting atmosphere that is very fitting for this film.

I'd recommend seeing "Full Metal Jacket" on Netflix if you enjoy war films with an anti-political tone.  Just be aware that this film feels more like two movies rather than one huge political statement.