HD DVD Review: Full Metal Jacket
It seems that every Stanley Kubrick movie is the last word in that genre. That is true for Full Metal Jacket. The penultimate story about the Marines and the consequenses of war is finally released on HD DVD; viddy this film I did!
Full Metal Jacket was impactful not for just its theme and images, but also for introducing the world to Vincent D’onofrio as Private Pyle and Lee Emery as the crotchety old drill instructor. This is the rare HD DVD where the interaction between characters is somehow larger, bigger and more powerful in HD DVD. Maybe its the constant yelling by Emery, or the detail on the flab of an overweight D’onofrio. Regardless, it is a gripping movie.
War movies inherently should look good in HD DVD. Important to the war movie are the visual elements, the blood, snipers, environment … and the audio plays an equally important role. This HD DVD does not let down on ither front.
The picture looked very acceptable. You have to remember that we are watching a 20 year old movie filmed for theatres, not for HD 1080 home viewing. Regardless, This conversion from 70MM to HD DVD is without complaint. The audio mix is Dolby Digital. I would prefer TrueHD, but I understnad that the source was probably analog.
The extra features are interesting, but the same content could appear on a regular DVD.
All in all this movie is worth adding to your HD DVD collection, even if you have the DVD and are happy with the upconvert.
ILHDDVD Rating 4/5 (Great movie and a great HD DVD transfer)
Video/Image: 3/5 (shows its age)
Audio: 3/5 (Needs TrueHD)
Recommended
Reader Ratings: 
(4 votes, average: 4.25 out of 5)
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One Comment, Comment or Ping
Daniel
“It seems that every Stanley Kubrick movie is the last word in that genre.”
It seems that you’re a simpleton with little taste in film, and a complete ignoramus when it comes to film criticism.
Even after all those tired, recycled, mindless, and vague critical cliches about fucking ‘Clockwork Orange,’ this statement makes me want to punch you more than anything.
Ever seen “Platoon?” Ever seen “Apocalypse Now?”
I’m glad that Stanley Kubrick is dead so that that arrogant jack-off doesn’t get to hear this ass kissing. He WANTS to be the final word in every movie genre, but he’s nothing compared to the other movies in each genre he has set out to be the best in. Egomaniacal fuck — I’m so glad he’s rotting in Hell.
Aug 5th, 2008
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