Second Half of Full Metal Jacket

[In_Stereo]

Cause it's got such a tough act to follow, the first half being so powerful and hilarious with Ermey's performance. You expect the energy to continue for the rest of the film, but the second half becomes a preachy political statement. Nope, it was too rapid and inconsistent a switch from comedy to drama; I consider the bathroom scene the end of the film, and the Vietnam scenes a sequel to the film.

[Crowfan]

I actually didn't hate it. For me it was interesting to see what happened to the two main characters, Joker and Cowboy. I can see why people didn't like it though as it was kind of like two different films.

[Bix Dugan]

The In Country part (the camera theft and Me So Horny are great) is uncomfortable to me because it showed the futility of that war. A lone female taking out so many American soldiers, bummer.

[losingmydignity]

admin said:

Interestingly, both Barry Lyndon and Full Metal Jacket were on Cinemax last night, but it was very late at night and I caught the last twenty minutes of Full Metal Jacket.

Here's the most common complaints of the second half:

1) Inconsitent feel from the first half
2) Doesn't look like Vietnam
3) We don't care about the characters
4) Emotionally remote
5) Seems like a totally different movie
6) Not funny
7) The structure is all over the place

I disagree with all of these (except the last one...which I believe is a good thing). First off, because the second half is so radically different from the first is what makes this movie so unique in my view. As for it not looking like Vietnam - total nonsense. You're all conditioned to seeing Vietnam movies in jungle enviornments, go see some footage of the battles in Hue City and you'll see just how authentic it looks. And I like the characters, people complain Kubrick distances us from them etc... but I think he just does things differently. There are no cliches in FMJ. As for it no longe being funny, well I disagree again. There are plenty of hilarious moments.

I consider the last 30 minutes or so (the battle with the lone sniper) to be the very best part of the movie. Notice it's all (mostly) filmed in real-time, which is a total departure from the rest of the film which is split up into small segments spanning over a long time. I thought it was well done. Joker's first kill and the soldiers marching like little kids singing "Mickey Mouse" puts chills down my spine.

I think the key to FMJ is you must particiapte yourself and not expect the movie to do the work for you. I understand how some may be put off by the fact that the first half is so seemingly in-your-face and the second half you need to really look underneath the surface, but really, it's a rewarding film.

I don't have any problems with any of the things listed above (that it doesn't look like Vietnam should be of no concern to anybody--I mean so all those films like Coppola's and Oliver Stone's that were shot in the Phillipines......that's supposed to make the film better?). One critic did note that he was disappointed that all Kubrick came up with was the "ten little indians" scenario with the sniper. In other words, not orignal enough and something we've seen in countless westerns. But then that may have been Kubie's point.....

[TomServo69]

The answer is easy. It's because it's not quotable and easily spoofed like the first part. I personally thoroughly enjoy the whole movie but, you knew that already Forrest, lol. In fact, Animal Mother is probably my favorite character in the whole movie.

Servo

[Captain Hygiene]

I was moved to rent it and am watching it now. The second half does have a distinct feel from the first part, and I think the switch may be just a little too abrupt. It shows good contrast, but at least for me, there is a little too much of a disconnect between the two.

[Da Worm Fizzle]

The second half of movie inspired me to be a free-thinking military journalist sent to a faraway country to report from a pointless quagmire of a war. I think I've succeeded in that.