3. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Full Metal Jacket is interesting because director Stanley Kubrick not only shows us the horrors of war and combat, but he also treats us to the military training of soldiers - taking them from rough hewn provincial boys into finely honed killing machines. The first section of the film with R. Lee Ermey barking insane insults at the rookies is highly enjoyable and fascinating as we follow the unhappy fate of big fat awkward recruit 'Gomer Pyle' (a name given to him by Sergeant Hartman) He is bullied, tormented and continually Picked upon until he snaps and blows away Hartman and himself. The rest of the film features action in Vietnam as the Tet Offensive gets underway. Two of the earlier military Recruits - Joker (a journalist) and Cowboy (a sergeant) find themselves together in the Battle of Hue where Cowboy's commanding officers get killed in battle until he himself is in charge. There is a very effective sniper on the loose who picks off the soldiers, including Cowboy, one by one. It is left to Joker to finish her off. The soldiers return to camp and sing the Micky Mouse March song. Joker says despite being in a world of s**t that he is still glad to be alive. The first half of the film is undeniably stronger than the second half. Vincent D'Onofrio (I love you Vinnie!) is a stand out as the bumbling recruit who turns sheer psycho. He is a victim of the brainwashing process that turns nice guys into psychos. The second half is not as bombastic as some other war films but it does present some interesting themes - the role of psychopaths in war (Animal Mother), the attempt to impose a democracy in combat and Joker's attainment of the Thousand Year Stare. Kubrick did a fantastic job overall.