smiths-4 Review of Full Metal Jacket

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

If you see a "NAM" film in your lifetime see this!(and Apocalypse now)

[10/10 · 24 October 2002]

I first saw this when i was about 12 and it shook my world up. It was on late at night which added to its allure. R Lee Emery makes the films first half as the sadistically harsh drill instructor who is also matched by Vincent D'onofrio who's performance as Private Pile must be the best of his career. Then we are thrust into the war with Matthew Modine leading the way as the journalist who sports a peace badge as well as a rifle ironically named Joker. Beckton gas works on the outskirts of London provides the setting of the war torn town and a good job it makes of it to. As with Clockwork Orange the soundtrack is spot on as are the locations and cast mentioned above. The ending is truly shocking but i won't reveal it as it would take power away from this superb war movie.