I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your senior drill instructor. From now on, you will speak only when spoken to, and the first and last words out of your filthy sewers will be 'Sir!' Do you maggots understand this? As soon as we begin Full Metal Jacket, it becomes clear that this is not going to be one of those heart-warming, noble combat films where the brave soldiers work together for honor and the preservation of the American way. In other words, this is a totally different beast from the uplifting propaganda films we saw throughout World War II and even most of the Vietnam War years. We're shocked by the drill sergeant's brutal speech to his soldiers, and we can tell that this is going to be ugly. A dark, gritty, warts-and-all depiction of modern American warfare, Full Metal Jacket establishes its character in the very first line.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
