Good in parts but unfocused, unstructured, and overrated

The best part about this movie is undoubtably the amazing performance by R Lee Ermey. One of the best performances of all time, perhaps. But the first half is just a clips compilation of random, unconnected moments from boot camp , and the second is a generic Vietnam War movie that is not better than Platoon, Casualties of War, or The Deer Hunter. The human element is solely lacking from this film and the character development is nonexistent.

Stanley Kubrick might've been an alien or something because he has little to no grasp on how us earthlings actually talk or communicate with eachother. The scene in the second half where Joker and Adam Baldwin have the "argument" is one of the most cringeworthy scenes in an "all-time classic movie"; none of their quips are even slightly funny or clever and the worst part are the soldiers in the background screaming "OHHH!!!!!" like it's the most insane rap battle of all time. Many of the dialog sequences are poorly written and sound incredibly forced, like Kubrick was saying "okay humans, this is how you talk, right?" And why is Adam Baldwin acting so poorly in this movie? Was that intentional?

Ermey is the only reason to watch the movie. His performance is outstanding and he's the only character to not be riddled with awful dialog. He should've won the Oscar for his job, no doubt. Once he bites the dust, the movie is over. The second half has a few good moments but most of it, just as the first half, is unconnected and feels random. I feel bad for admitting this because it is a really badass movie when it works and I loved it as a kid. I just don't see it the same way anymore.