Band of Brothers vs. The Pacific

 Having Watched the full series of Band of Brothers several times over, I do consider it, hands down, the best contemporary "War Movie/Series" It blends realism, with strong characters, and presents an overall exellent potrayal of combat and the individuals who fought during the second world war in Europe.

As a result of such, I greatly anticipated the relase of "The Pacific" by same Driector and talent, as a parable to Band of Brothers, but about Marines in the Pacific. I will say that after watching up to the 3rd Episode thus far that I am slightly disappointed. I am in NO way trying to sound like a classic "BETTER BEFORE" critic, but it seems that elements of the Band of Brothers series SHOULD have been carried over.

1. For one, I missed the "intro" sequence; that is, getting to know the characters and show the bond's built between soldiers in training. This gives a very real basis to the later episodes, but gives us a foundation to compare character development throughout the series. We could have seen the Marines in intense drill; their enthusiasm peaked by the propaganda at home and words of encouragment by family and friends. This would also serve also provide a good setup for a "whiplash" to occur once the Marines enter real combat, when all their myths are shattered and they experience battle for real. (I also liked seeing nicholas cage get smacked down but that's a personal preference that should NOT effect this review :) ) Instead, we get a ten-minute intro, that hints at some better explanation, but gives little at first. I may be proven completely wrong later in the series, but this is done as of the third episode.

2. Insofar the battle sequences have been...stylized. I take fuly into account the uttely alien diference between combat in Euopre and the Far East, but it still incenses me to see war treated as some "heoric struggle" I in no way intend to be overtly harsh about this, but I notice the very quick jump to combat in the Pacific. In Band of Brothers; it took almost 2 episodes to get to battle. It built the anticipation and fear that combat is commonly assoicated with. In the Pacific, one feels the "gung-ho" attitude of the Marines, and is only treated to a few "scare" sequences, withthe overtly jumpy Marines not meeting the real foe. It feels like a poor supplement, that makes the combat less of a test of more of gradual ramped up scenes.

3. The vetrans interviews at the begining give less of an overall perspective and instead seems to either re-afrim known informaiton of provide very "Harumph" material for America. Again, this is exptected, but It would be beneficial for the audience to be given a quick synopsis or at least general descpriton of events.

Upon Re-viewing Ep. 2-3 I can fairly validate my previous reasons why The Pacific "loses" against Band of Brothers, and expand on them of course.

Our beloved actions sequences make a triumphent return yet again; with the defense of Gudalcannal in the face of numerous Japanese advantages. The battle for the heights around Henderson airfield is an epic slaughter of hundreds of Japanese troops as they ceaslessly rush the defensive line of the Americans. Again, this is mostly accurate; the Japanese are noted for creativity and ingenuity, but also for doggedly literal interpretatoins of orders and methods used to acheive them. We see the death of a standing character, and some effect ont the other cast. Most important is the cast's stay in Australia, where we expereince one of those "character building sessions" i so cringe without.

Sgt. Basilone gets the Medal of honor and is to be sent home to sell war bonds. Boom. That was a very well done plot twist that I certianly appreciate (though it sounds alot like flags of our fathers) Wars don't pay for themselves, and it's an understated issue that the U.S. still had to crank out plenty of capital to keep the fight going. This will likely be a good conflict point later when the Sgt. is likely to return, and get a fair dose of "what did I miss?" (make a good re-cap epsiode that some series just seem to NEED no matter what...)

We also see Leckie (I think this is right. I can be bad with names, but as i irked earlier we ddon't get the time to clearly identify who is who due to the quick jump to combat)

Date a local in the most involved devlopment seen thus far. We get the image that he's smart, but rough due to a difficult uprbringing, and aspires to something greater with a fair amoutn of dislusionment. His subsequent "divorce" drives him to a drunken stupor where when he is caught doing a favor for a friend and is to be split from his former company.

Again, another good twist since we will see multiple branches of the amred forces at work in a single campaign. Leckie also gets to be the angry, loved lost soldier from now on. His character i enjoy the most, but even then. The poerty he writes is an interesting mesh with the simple vernacular of the other marines. Some of the quotes and short lines he says come off as cheesy at the beginning and ending of episodes; like throwing them in just to add some moral fibre.

And yet, the best possible star has yet to make an appearence; Eugene. The white guy with the heart conditon. I actually remembered his name, and admire the time taken to introduce him. What will he be? How will his presence effect the other marines he's (obviously) going to interact with? We get to speculate a little becuase we only see his family life, and can only guess as to what performance this will entail at war. It does feel as if were replacing the old cast though, with one dead, one shipped back home, and the other sent to a different branch, I hope we'll see more interesting "new" characters shipped in with Eugene.

 Well fellow HBO goers I have viewed Ep. 4 and 5, and I will start this by saying how infinetely more pleased I am.

Ep.4 deals with the Marines shipping out to New Britan, another small, relatively un-important island in the grand scheme of things. Here, the Marines chase the shadows of Japanese troops, and face a truly menacing foe; the jungle itself. Rained on and miserably coated in mud, the marines are pushed to the breaking point. This, I beleive, demonstrates the rigors of conflict better yet than any other episode, and may even put some parts of Band of Brothers to shame!!

Leckie's part in this story is my absolute favorite. From his point of view, we see a soldier test of tramua, and even better; disslusion. It's exellent filming as we see his will sap and finally evaporate after a raffle is held for passes home. (which he doesn't win of course) He is sent to a military hospital for mentally ill patients, and this is what makes the episode the best thus far. Here, more so than almost any Band of Brothers episode, we see the aftereffects of combat on soldiers. Leckie, observing his surrounding, doesn't feel that he belongs, denying that he could have any symptoms nearly as bad as his fellow "inmates"

His doctor is a fun quick taste, where leckie puts a few digs against the psychoanayltic school. We also see one of his comrades (whose name eludes me) that has completely broken down. The other notable expereince that sticks out in my mind is sgt. war bonds back home; screwing movie stars and basking in the glow up positive public opinion, which is hinted at being harder than it seems. Besides the sex scene having obvious attraction, this plot could wind down in a very interesting manner; again, likely resembling flags of our fathers, but the point needs to stated again about the homefront.