Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey
Looks like were back to 'Nam with this one. You may remember that some time ago I rewied another film about Vietnam, which was Apocalypse now. Well this one is nothing like the last one. Kubrick proves us that there is no genre he couldn't master.
The film is in two parts. The first one follows a group of recruits trough a brutal training course to become a US marine. Their drill officer Hartman has one mission and one mission only: To turn them into killing machines. Obviously not everyone is suited for the kind of training that they get. The film shows that what happens when one is pushed to far or in other words ,,totally section 8''.
The second part of the film focuses on the graduates who are sent to action. All the horrors are clearly portrayed, also the reasons why that war was so unpopular. Nevertheless Kubric adds many jokes and humorous situations into an otherwise serious film.
Pogue Colonel: Marine, what is that button on your body armor?
Private Joker: A peace symbol, sir.
Pogue Colonel: Where'd you get it?
Private Joker: I don't remember, sir.
Pogue Colonel: What is that you've got written on your helmet?
Private Joker: "Born to Kill", sir.
Pogue Colonel: You write "Born to Kill" on your helmet and you wear a peace button. What's that supposed to be, some kind of sick joke?
Private Joker: No, sir.