One of the greatest war movies ever made is a hidden gem on streaming. War movies are a genre of cinema that will probably never go away. From the hyperrealism of Warfare and Saving Private Ryan to the hyper-macho Top Gun and Commando, and even satirical spoofs like Hot Shots!, audiences love getting engrossed in an action-packed war film. But decades before the above movies stole the show, one of the greatest directors of all time returned to the war genre over a decade after the timeless Apocalypse Now with one of the most unique and memorable war movies ever made. As well as being explosive and filled with gunfights, the movie also has one of the most memorable opening scenes in film history. If that didn’t give it away, we’re talking about none other than Full Metal Jacket.
For those looking to experience the brutality of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War from the comfort of their own home, Full Metal Jacket is currently streaming on Paramount+. Full Metal Jacket was released in theaters in 1987 and quickly became a cult classic. The film stars Matthew Modine as James T. “Joker,” one of the newest members of the US Marine Corps during the height of the Vietnam War. The film opens with the iconic scene of the recruits’ boot camp, led by R. Lee Ermey’s Gny. Sgt. Hartman, with a scene-stealing performance by Vincent D’Onofrio as the emotionally scarred Pvt. “Pyle” Leonard. The official synopsis reads:
“Stanley Kubrick’s take on the Vietnam War follows smart-aleck Private Davis (Matthew Modine), quickly christened “Joker” by his foul-mouthed drill sergeant (R. Lee Ermey), and pudgy Private Lawrence (Vincent D’Onofrio), nicknamed “Gomer Pyle,” as they endure the rigors of basic training. Though Pyle takes a frightening detour, Joker graduates to the Marine Corps and is sent to Vietnam as a journalist, covering — and eventually participating in — the bloody Battle of Hué.”
Full Metal Jacket was a major hit when it was released in 1987. The film holds a solid 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating, from a blend of original and more contemporary reviews. Audiences still adore Kubrick’s no-holds-barred war film, as it holds an even stronger audience rating of 94%. “The most I can describe it as is an absolute masterpiece,” read one review, while others labeled the film as “dark,” “intense,” and “utterly unforgettable.”
‘Full Metal Jacket’ Is Based on a True Story
Full Metal Jacket is regarded as one of Kubrick’s best movies, up there with The Shining, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the aforementioned Apocalypse Now. The film was nominated for one Oscar in 1988 for Best Adapted Screenplay (the story was based on the semi-autobiographic, The Short-Timers, by Gustav Hasford).
Full Metal Jacket has also been praised for its accuracy, especially its opening scene. R. Lee Ermey was actually a US Marine drill instructor. As a result, he was the perfect actor to play the cruel drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket. Everything from the marching, the chants, and the torment intended to break down the recruits was approved by Ermey.
- Release Date
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July 10, 1987
- Runtime
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116 minutes
- Producers
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Jan Harlan
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
