(Published June 9, PDI-Entertainment)
By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Contributor
Gripping and occasionally grim, the HBO miniseries “Generation Kill” recreates the early days of the
The 7-episode series gives an oft-uncomfortable but revealing view of how Marines tasked with leading the invasion lived and carried out orders. Viewers are given a variety of human sides to the conflict, personalities that often clash off-mission. Strong language goes hand-in-hand with grimy visuals, recreating discomfiting, even off-putting situations.
But these depictions of actual events and people still ingratiate. Lee Tergesen (“Oz,” “Desperate Housewives”) plays Wright, who, like the viewer, welcomes the transparency, but isn’t quite prepared for things that happen. Riding a Humvee with Sgt. Brad Colbert (Alexander Skarsgard) and Cpl. Ray Person (James Ransone), Wright learns about chain of command, cultural differences in the ranks, and life-and-death encounters.
Episodes of “Generation Kill” have their share of unexpected humor, however. Moments of levity and realistic conversations help keep minds off the heavy stuff. Dramatic scenes that replicate the strife or show casualties of the crossfire also feel authentic, and are distressing and difficult to watch.
Structurally, the mini-series doesn’t follow typical formulas; it meanders sometimes, becomes chaotic without warning, and doesn’t necessarily end with cliffhangers. There are sympathetic figures, but it takes time to get attached to such characters. Different psychological profiles are offered; for different reasons, some of the men from the battalion treat the task at hand as one big adventure.
“Generation Kill” evokes uneasiness and can be numbing at times, but it documents and explores this side of the war quite effectively.
Two episodes of “Generation Kill” air weekly on Sundays, 9:00 p.m. on Max. The first two aired June 7.
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