Full Metal Jacket
A pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the U.S.-Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue.
Critics Sentiment
Pyle kills Hartman and himself in the barracks latrine
Joker works as Stars and Stripes correspondent with Rafter Man
The transition from boot camp to Vietnam represents a dramatic quality drop, with scores plummeting from the perfect 10.0 climax to a 6.8 low point.
Full Metal Jacket achieves near-universal critical acclaim for its first half, with R. Lee Ermey's performance and the boot camp sequences earning perfect scores and lasting cultural impact. The Vietnam sequences, while competent, consistently disappoint reviewers who find them underwhelming compared to the masterful opening act. The film recovers somewhat with its haunting finale, but the stark quality difference between halves defines the critical reception.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 109
Matthew Modine
Pvt. Joker
Adam Baldwin
Animal Mother
Vincent D'Onofrio
Pvt. Pyle
R. Lee Ermey
Gny. Sgt. Hartman
Dorian Harewood
Eightball
Kevyn Major Howard
Rafterman
Arliss Howard
Pvt. Cowboy
Ed O'Ross
Lt. Touchdown
John Terry
Lt. Lockhart
Kieron Jecchinis
Crazy Earl
Kirk Taylor
Payback
Tim Colceri
Doorgunner
Jon Stafford
Doc Jay
Bruce Boa
Poge Colonel
Ian Tyler
Lt. Cleves
Sal Lopez
T.H.E. Rock
Gary Landon Mills
Donlon
Papillon Soo
Da Nang Hooker
Peter Edmund
Snowball
Ngoc Le
V.C. Sniper
Crew
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