4kUHD Preview: Full Metal Jacket

When it comes to pop-culture allure and romanticized brutality, Stanley Kubrick's “Full Metal Jacket" is arguably the most influential of all Vietnam War movies. R. Lee Ermey's iconic portrayal of the sadistic Gunnery Sgt. Hartman has served as a de facto recruiting mechanism for the Marines since the film's release in 1987. Based on the novel "The Short-Timers" by Gustav Hasford and filmed in jolly old England, Warner Home Entertainment has now released this stunning masterpiece on 4kUHD.

Stanley Kubrick's singular war saga packs even more of a visceral punch in glorious 4K. Matthew Modine, Vincent D'Onofrio, and R.Lee Ermey- as the drill instructor from hell- shine in this gripping chronicle of U.S. Marine recruits during the Vietnam War. Shifting from the raw brutality of basic training to the dehumanizing effects of combat, Full Metal Jacket deftly combines nonstop action with scathing dark humor. It begins by following the trials and tribulations of a platoon of fresh Marine Corps recruits, focusing on the relationship between Gunnery Sergeant Hartman and Privates Pyle & Joker. We see Pyle grow into an instrument of death as Hartman has foreseen of all of his recruits. Through Pyle's torment and Joker's unwillingness to stand up against it, the climax of part one is achieved with all three main characters deciding their fates by their actions and inactions. The second chapter delves into Joker's psyche and the repeated referral to the fact that he joined the Corps to become a killer. When his mostly behind-the-scenes job as a combat correspondent is interfered with by the Tet offensive he is thrust into real combat and ultimately must decide if he really is a killer.

This movie is absolutely amazing, hard-hitting, and gritty as hell. In my opinion, Full Metal Jacket is one of the best movies that Stanley Kubrick had ever made and was just stunningly real. R. Lee Emery's performance is probably the show-stealer though where he breaks down the recruits and makes them into the killing machines the army needs, particularly targeting the seemingly useless Private Pyle. Amazing really when you consider that Emery was originally there as a consultant, but when the original actor exhausted himself after shouting for half an hour, he stepped in and it was just perfect. Cast and crew said he was a nice guy, a teddy bear when out of character, but when he played the Drill Sargeant he was VERY intimidating!

This movie was also the stepping stone for Vincent D'Onofrio as this was his first movie role. He showed what talent he had and his career skyrocketed due to Kubrick and Full Metal Jacket.

The movie viewing experience is of great quality as you would expect with a release on UHD, but the great thing is when you look at the extras. You have a great audio commentary with some of the cast as well as a featurette about the making of the movie which is really good. There is also the theatrical trailer too.

Also, check out this nice special edition that has also been released which you can buy from WB Shop HERE

Collector's edition, looks pretty awesome!

If you like this movie, you will LOVE this in UHD. This is certainly worth the money and then some. Grab this now, you'll certainly not be disappointed.

Full Metal Jacket is rated 15 and is available 21st September in movie outlets, and you can also get it from WB Shop by clicking HERE.