MYST #6: (7.62 mm...) Full Metal Jacket

                                                   

For those of you who don't know me very well, let me start off by telling you something about me. I LOVE history, and have since a kid. So don’t be surprised to see primarily movies that take place in history.

When I first saw this movie, by the end I was like Private Pyle, I had no idea what to expect or what it was about and then by the end my mind was blown (metaphorically). Although it was a few years since I've seen this movie for the first time, I still enjoyed re-watching it.

 

Full Metal Jacket is a two segment look about the Vietnam War. The first half is the training of platoon 3092 and their experiences with Sargent Hartman. The Second half shows one of the Platoon members, Joker, who is now a reporter for Stars and Stripes, and how training pays off during the Tet offensive of 1968.

The story for FMJ is different from most Vietnam War movies. Rather than start off in Vietnam, it starts at the beginning of basic training. It starts before that even, the opening scenes are the platoon getting their heads shaved to start basic training. It’s also interesting to see that we follow a combat correspondent throughout the movie, rather than follow a squad of riflemen or such instead.

Cinematically, it relied a lot on medium shots. Kubrick would show shots of the soldiers from the feet above in the majority of the movie. He used close ups when anyone died and people would always say something about it, regardless of rather they were American or Vietnamese. Kubrick used long shots as well when soldiers would run from building to building in Hue City.

A theme that seemed to be present throughout the movie was movement. In every scene, someone was moving, Hartman pacing, soldiers running, tanks driving, are just some of the many times this occurs. Although this could be debated, especially with scenes like the helicopter ride to Hue and graduation, people are still moving.

Something else worth mentioning is the music selection. In the opening scene, Johnnie Wright’s song "Hello Vietnam" came on (and is now stuck in my head). But there were awesome other 60's songs such as "Paint it Black" "Sufin Bird" and "Chapel of love". He ends the movie with the survivors of the battle singing the 1960's  Micky Mouse Club theme. (M-i-c, k-e-y, m-o-u-s-e... that's also stuck in my head as well). In my opinion, Kubrick put this in to show how childish war is.  

                                                                            (Joker and Cowboy in basic training)

My favorite character would either be Joker or Cowboy. I enjoyed Joker being a smart ass and trying to help out Pyle, but I also enjoyed Cowboy's ability to maintain composure even though his previous CO's (Commanding officers) died and handle  the sniper. As for my favorite scene, I didn't really have one, but I did enjoy the second half more than the first. 

Full Metal Jacket (1987) Official Trailer - Stanley Kubrick ...
▶ 2:19
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9f6JaaX7Wg



Jan 29, 2014 - Uploaded by MOVIECLIPS Classic Trailers
Follow us on TWITTER: http://bit.ly/1ghOWmt. Full Metal Jacket(1987) Official Trailer - Stanley Kubrick Movie ...

Overall, I enjoyed the movie; there were a few historical inaccuracies as usual. But in the end I give Full Metal Jacket 5 Screaming R. Lee Ermy's out of 5.