Review: Full Metal Jacket

Kubrick's epic war movie remains a brutal and stark watch. As ever the first half remains more powerful and tighter than the second. It's almost Groundhog Day like in its repetition as the recruits undergo basic training to a barrage of highly creative insults from Ermey's Hartman.

It's easy to see why D'Onofrio has made a career out of playing ambiguous characters since with his portrayal of the slow deterioration of Private Pyle's mental state.

The missus was puzzled by the inclusion of the oil palm trees in the later scenes - "you'd never plant them that close to buildings" and "they look sick" until I told her they'd been shipped for filming on the Isle of Dogs and Beckton Gasworks.

Verdict: First half almost a standalone film - and also the best part of it.