War! What Is It Good For? Apparently, Extremely Compelling Films…

4. Full Metal Jacket

Image Source: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

You’ll notice that although all of the movies on this list revolve around a war, the vast majority focus on what happens just before or soon after an army invades. Full Metal Jacket is no different, as the entire first half of the film depicts the training of a U.S. Marine platoon about to head to Vietnam. It focuses on Joker and Pyle, two new recruits who have significantly different experiences during training and during the war itself. Kubrick’s film message is not one of hope or empowerment, but of the demoralizing meaninglessness of war.