

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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