Since I can't do justice to such an excellent movie with my sad attempts at enthusiastic gushings (and it would be too much effort anyway), I will go on to the cool quote list:
How can you shoot women and children?
Easy. You just don't lead 'em so much. Ain't war hell?
--Joker, Doorgunner
Well, I've got a joke for you. I'm gonna tear you a new asshole.
--Animal Mother
Hey, photographer. Wanna take a good picture? Here, man. Take this. This is my bro. This is his party. He's the guest of honor. Today is his birthday.
I will never forget this day: the day I came to Hue City and fought one million NVA gooks. I love the little Commie bastards, man, I really do. These enemy grunts are as hard as slant-eyed drill instructors. These are great days we're living, bros! We're jolly green giants, walking the Earth, with guns. The men we wasted here today are the finest human beings you will ever know. After we rotate back to the world, we're gonna miss not having anyone around who's worth shootin'.
--Crazy Earl
Do I think America belongs in Vietnam? Uh... I dunno. I belong in Vietnam. I can tell you that.
--Crazy Earl
Heh... personall think uh... they don't really wanna be involved in this war, you know. I mean, like, I think they... they sorta like heh... they took away our freedom and gave it to the... to the gookers, you know, but they don't want it. They'd rather be alive than free, I guess. The poor, dumb bastards.
--Eight Ball
Well, if you ask me, we uh... we're shooting the wrong gooks.
--Animal Mother
What do I think of America's involvement in the war? Well, I think we should win.
--Animal Mother
I wanted to see exotic Vietnam, the jewel of Southeast Asia. I wanted to see interesting and stimulating people of an ancient culture... and kill them. I wanted to be the first kid on my block to get a confirmed kill!
--Joker
You'll notice that I didn't include a single quote from Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. That's simply because just about anything he says is worthy of being mentioned (especially if it's insulting.)
I know what you're wondering: what are my favorite scenes? Well, in chronological order:
Intro to Boot Camp: Hartman at his best. This scene is beautiful.
Meeting the Lusthogs: Every single line in this scene rocks. Well worth re-re-re-watching.
Vietnam: the Movie: Hilarious.
Hue City Interviews: Even more hilarious... note how many of the above quotes are from here.
ARVN Pimp/Hooker scene: Eight Ball steals this scene.
Sniper Scene: I hope I don't even have to say anything else!
For a movie with such a low kill count, no gore, and not all THAT much blood, Full Metal Jacket is one of the finest war movies ever filmed. The number of cool characters, cool lines, cool scenes... it's just mind-boggling!