‘Full Metal Jacket’ Seduced My Generation and Sent Us to War(nytimes.com)
nytimes.com
‘Full Metal Jacket’ Seduced My Generation and Sent Us to War
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/magazine/full-metal-jacket-ermey-marine-corps.html
4 comments
Should probably have 2018 in the title. While I agree that R Lee Ermey was incredibly well cast, and would be quite charismatic as an envoy for the American armed services later in his career, I can't believe that anyone who has seen "Full Metal Jacket" would be enthused about going to war.
>>> I can't believe that anyone who has seen "Full Metal Jacket" would be enthused about going to war.
I don't know. I'm definitely not blaming the film or its maker. But I can't deny that is does kind of awaken a fantasy in me. I have never been involved in any military, but a part of me has always wanted to be transformed like the men in that film.
The thing is, when I imagine being in the story, I don't see myself like Private Pyle or Cowboy. Their stories don't discourage me. So I do wonder if Kubrick missed the mark by making a film that horrified him but actually inspires others. Maybe there's just something wrong with me. Even Platoon has an allure to it. Even Barnes was a hero in some ways. I could be like Barnes without the evil parts.
Apocalypse Now on the other hand, now there's a movie to kill recruitment if ever there was one. There's literally no upside in that movie and very few characters have any redeeming qualities.
I don't know. I'm definitely not blaming the film or its maker. But I can't deny that is does kind of awaken a fantasy in me. I have never been involved in any military, but a part of me has always wanted to be transformed like the men in that film.
The thing is, when I imagine being in the story, I don't see myself like Private Pyle or Cowboy. Their stories don't discourage me. So I do wonder if Kubrick missed the mark by making a film that horrified him but actually inspires others. Maybe there's just something wrong with me. Even Platoon has an allure to it. Even Barnes was a hero in some ways. I could be like Barnes without the evil parts.
Apocalypse Now on the other hand, now there's a movie to kill recruitment if ever there was one. There's literally no upside in that movie and very few characters have any redeeming qualities.
this has "conservative who listens to rage against the machine" vibes. ...did they pay attention AT ALL?