Generation Kill

I don’t usually like war-related film and television. It’s one of the few genres which can truly upset me. I get frustrated. I get angry. I cry.

Saving Private Ryan, for example, is cinematically brilliant, but I hate it. That film was actually the catalyst for me. It’s the one that had me swearing off similar pieces for life. And yet, I’d recommend it to any adult as a good film because it is a good film. Just heart breaking.

My brother tried and tried (unsuccessfully) to get me to watch the miniseries Band of Brothers. Next year, The Pacific, another miniseries from the creators of Band of Brothers, will air. I’m sure it’ll be as acclaimed, but I won’t watch it, no mater how much said sibling protests.

And yet, a couple of days ago I let my rule slide. I started watching HBO’s miniseries Generation Kill (based on the book by journalist Evan Wright about his experience with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of the United States Marine Corps during the early stages of the invasion of Iraq). Apart from the fact that I wanted to bitch slap Captain America and the guy who is obsessed with the grooming standard, it’s really very good.

According to a user on imdb.com:

Every Marine that I know who’s read this book, and the couple that have caught the first episode has nothing but good things to say about the material. David Simon and Ed Burns did a great job of sticking to the heart of Wright’s story–and from what I’ve heard, even referenced Lt. Fick’s personal account (One Bullet Away)–of that deployment as well. As an active duty Sergeant in the USMC, most of my enlistment has involved working with and managing the same kind of colorful personalities seen in GK. I lost track of how many times we laughed at random “unfunny” scenes because the accuracy of the mannerisms, terminology, or situations depicted.

YOU WILL ABIDE BY THE GROOMING STANDARD.

It’s well acted. I’m very impressed with Alexander Skarsgård and I’m looking forward to seeing him portray a 1000-year old viking vampire in True Blood (which, in case you haven’t been paying attention, I’m a little obsessed with). Two roles which couldn’t be more different.

It’s strange to see something like this so soon after it actually happened. I mean hell, the Iraq war is still happening. It’s just not much of a news story anymore…