Full Metal Jacket would receive Oscar nominations. Corliss also appreciated "the Olympian elegance and precision of Kubrick's filmmaking". "Empire"s Ian Nathan awarded the film 3 out of 5 stars, saying it is "inconsistent" and describing it as "both powerful and frustratingly unengaged". Nathan felt that after leaving the opening act following the recruit training, the film becomes "bereft of purpose", but he summarized his review by calling it a "hardy Kubrickian effort that warms on you with repeated viewings". Nathan also praised Ermey's "staggering performance". Vincent Canby of "The New York Times" called it "harrowing, beautiful and characteristically eccentric". Canby echoed praise for
Full Metal Yakuza Japan direct-to-video on December 5, 1997 where it was released by Tokuma Japan Communications. Full Metal Yakuza Originally released in Japan's direct-to-video market (V-Cinema), the film has gained more popularity because of the reputation of its controversial director. Aspiring yakuza Kensuke Hagane (Tsuyoshi Ujiki) is killed by gang violence along his idol and Yakuza boss Tosa (Takeshi Caesar). Their corpses wind up in the hands of a scientist, who manages to keep Kensuke alive by replacing much of his body with cyborg pieces and some parts of Tosa, making him bulletproof and super strong. Kensuke then escapes from the scientist