Full Metal Jacket Write-Up

Reception Theory
-Was this film provocative, throwaway or intellectually demanding? Why?
Personally, I think that Full Metal Jacket was a provocative film due to the fact it addresses the strict routine of war life. At the start of the film, we see Private Pyle being victimised by Sergeant Hartman and how Pyle's reaction to this constant bullying results in psychological damage and suicide. Events such as these provoke feelings of discomfort and unsettlement from the audience, further causing this film to be provocative. There are certain aspects of "Full Metal Jacket" which follow conventions of it being an intellectually demanding film; exploring the horrors the soldiers are exposed to in Vietnam and informing the audience of what struggles they had to go through, both psychologically and physically, gives the film elements of being intellectually demanding.

-What is the preferred reading of this film?
The preferred reading of this film would be mainly patriotic and nationalistic. In "Full Metal Jacket" we automatically side with the American soldiers, believing that they're seen as the "good guys" throughout the situation.

-What reading did you take to this film and why?
Personally, I took an oppositional reading to this film due to the fact I don't believe in the necessity of war and violence as a solution to disagreements. Seeing civilians in Vietnam being murdered and the horrors that the soldiers were exposed to made me uncomfortable and I didn't believe in their morals and justifications for killing.

Central and a-central Imagining
-An example of central imagining being clearly presented is the scene where Eightball is being shot continuously by the sniper, showing the blood and gore. The diegetic sound of Eightball screaming in agony and seeing his body gradually getting more damaged as the scene goes on gives the audience a more visual understanding of his pain, causing a central response.

-An example of a-central imagining is when Pyle commits suicide, provoking an emotional response from the audience and causing them discomfort and possible sadness/sympathy. The reaction on Joker's face as Pyle turns the rifle on himself is reflective of the audience; anxious and shocked. The mise-en-scene of Pyle's blood and brain on the bathroom wall provokes an emotional reaction of feeling helpless like Pyle, due to his psychological breakdown we understand his motives. Personally, I felt uncomfortable and sad when Pyle committed suicide; him thinking that killing himself was the only solution to the hardship he's endured made me feel compassion and sympathy for him.

Alignment
-I personally only felt aligned with Joker in Full Metal Jacket. Joker has common sense and is reluctant to kill and wears a peace sign, showing his compassion and that he is not fully involved in the violent, war lifestyle. He has patience with Pyle and happily helps him with basic training, further making him the only bearable character.