Review of Full Metal Jacket (1987) by Neil D — 04 Jan 2013

Full Metal Jacket is a realistic portrayal of the life of marines, exemplified by a phenomenal performance from real-life drill instructor R. Lee Ermey.

There are many recognizable faces in the cast, and everybody indulges in their roles, conveying a rather intriguing story on the progression of their lives and the dangers they encounter.

Dark humor is frequently implemented, which is a classic Kubrick trademark. However, and there is the director's beloved use of symbolic icons which were sometimes blatant, and sometimes very subtle.

Kubrick's eye for cinematography shines once again, along with some outstanding camera work, usually answering questions a viewer may ask when something within the frame is noticed. This goes as well for the more blatant symbolic icons.

While the musical score is scarce (though silence of course adds to the excitement of the intense scenes), it's a great score when it does get put to use.

This is another successful movie by Kubrick, and while it perhaps isn't my personal favorite, it is undeniably fantastic and maybe even near-flawless.