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Amazon.co.uk Review
Generation Kill is a miniseries, based on the book by Evan Wright, that’s initial key selling point is a very, very compelling one. The very fact that it’s the latest project from the creators of The Wire, quite possibly the best American television series of the past decade or so, should alone be enough for people to sit up and take notice. Fortunately, the show itself has plenty of merits of its own to stand up on its own two feet.
Generation Kill, spread over seven episodes, follows the opening 40 days of the Iraq war, as viewed through the eyes of Marines’ First Recon Batallion. From there, the show pans out to give a snapshot of the horrors, dramas and sheer brutality of war. It does it though with genuinely three-dimensional characters, who have frailties, moments of humour, friendships and backgrounds. And the show allows space to genuine explore these, much to its credit.
Much like The Wire, Generation Kill doesn’t concern itself with cliffhangers, big action sequences or gimmicks. This is solid, grown-up drama, that treats its viewers as adults and is all the better for it. Granted, it’s not going to be to some tastes, and there are periods of inactivity that may test the patience of some viewers, but this is just the kind of television that people tend to complain that companies don’t make enough of. Well, they just have, and Generation Kill very much deserves success as a result. --Jon Foster
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This 7 part series is excellent. The producers of "the Wire" and "on the corner" are really on a roll. If you want a truer picture of events in Iraq other than the political polemic and media propaganda then this is the one to watch. The novel which it is based on is well worth reading too as it is more detailed and somewhat more descriptive.
Like the 'wire' the series producers/writers assume the audience has an intelligent and inquisitive mind which wishes to be engaged fully. This is not your usual Hollywood fodder.
This series manages to give us a view of events from the perspective of the grunts on the ground and it doesn't really hold back on language, explicit detail or events. Like the wire - you get the realistic use of language, its like you are overhearing the conversation and it takes a little while to tune into the lingo.
Miraculously the series manages to walk the tightrope of balance very well, giving the views and perspective from the grunts and commanders to the iraqi civilians and more. The wider political perspective is justly criticised and it is blatantly obvious that there is no plan at all for restoring the political and authoritative void left in the country. No one comes out of this smelling of roses and questionable decisions and actions are taken. The differing viewpoints are depicted fairly, cock ups are shown to be what they are and the result of them and of course there are some plainly absurd orders from above. It shows the real war on the ground and not the PS3 war depicted on the news casts of low collateral damage. This is a very thought provoking series which gains momentum as it progresses. The series also has a good dose of the black wry humour reminiscent of Spike Milligan's war memoirs. Highly recommended.
Like the 'wire' the series producers/writers assume the audience has an intelligent and inquisitive mind which wishes to be engaged fully. This is not your usual Hollywood fodder.
This series manages to give us a view of events from the perspective of the grunts on the ground and it doesn't really hold back on language, explicit detail or events. Like the wire - you get the realistic use of language, its like you are overhearing the conversation and it takes a little while to tune into the lingo.
Miraculously the series manages to walk the tightrope of balance very well, giving the views and perspective from the grunts and commanders to the iraqi civilians and more. The wider political perspective is justly criticised and it is blatantly obvious that there is no plan at all for restoring the political and authoritative void left in the country. No one comes out of this smelling of roses and questionable decisions and actions are taken. The differing viewpoints are depicted fairly, cock ups are shown to be what they are and the result of them and of course there are some plainly absurd orders from above. It shows the real war on the ground and not the PS3 war depicted on the news casts of low collateral damage. This is a very thought provoking series which gains momentum as it progresses. The series also has a good dose of the black wry humour reminiscent of Spike Milligan's war memoirs. Highly recommended.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I watched this shortly before seeing 'Hurt Locker' and have to say there is no comparison. In my opinion 'Hurt Locker' was overated and had a storyline that never really went anywhere. This on the other hand was fantastic and much more interesting viewing.
"Generation Kill" tells the story of a Reporter (Evan Wright) who spent 2 months with US Marines of First Recon Battalion during the Iraq invasion. He puts his own life on the line to tell this story first hand and give an accurate perception of each Marine's personality and the near-death events that took place. Even one of the Marines acts out his own part in this series.
The attention to detail is awesome and I strongly recommend watching this, if you want a real eye-opening insight into what went on within Iraq.
"Generation Kill" tells the story of a Reporter (Evan Wright) who spent 2 months with US Marines of First Recon Battalion during the Iraq invasion. He puts his own life on the line to tell this story first hand and give an accurate perception of each Marine's personality and the near-death events that took place. Even one of the Marines acts out his own part in this series.
The attention to detail is awesome and I strongly recommend watching this, if you want a real eye-opening insight into what went on within Iraq.
97 of 107 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Generation Kill is the spiritual brother to the Wire. Both are uncompromising adult dramas that present the facts with no bias. Where as a miniseries like band of brothers uses every technical trick to make war look almost hyper real, all that technical wizardry is eschewed in favour of a more documentary style. There are no voice-overs, no rousing military music, and no flashbacks.
Indeed the short lived series "Over There" which was a laudable attempt at bringing the realities of Iraq into your living room is shown up here as relying on dramatic clichés that are little more than storytelling tricks. In Generation Kill, if it happens, it happens in real time, and you may miss it- a sombre example being the mutilated remains of a little girl in episode 2 which are half seen as the convoy roars by.
The series is set around a US Marine Recon patrol in the first month or so of the Iraq war. Much of it is through the eyes of an embedded war reporter (based on Evan Wright- the author of the book on which this series is based). If you are looking for an action packed series then this is not the series for you. One the realities of war is the endless travelling along with the fight against boredom being far more relentless than the fight against the enemy. Indeed action is relatively scarce but when things do kick off the engrained training of the marines is shown to stop any panic and help the men through the chaos.
Indeed much of it could almost be described as the first military road movie with the dialogue often happening in the cramped confines of a Humvee rolling in convoy down endless roads and through featureless desert. The dialogue feels and is delivered in a totally convincing manner, although there is one marine playing himself the rest are actors (one of the main roles going to "Ziggy" from series 2 of the Wire) and the whole series has an air of authenticity.
If there was one word of warning, it's that I'm not sure what the series is trying to say. Band of brother's had survival to the end of the war as the goal but at the time of filming the US were still in Iraq so that wasn't an option, even the Wire wrapped up plots and cases but Generation Kill sort of drifts along. If it's just meant to be a record of what it's like being a marine in the Iraq war it does this admirably, but in terms of plot there isn't really one and while it's true that life has no narrative arc it does help when watching a drama.
With that said, this is gritty, vibrant, intelligent drama. It is classic HBO, treating the viewer as an intelligent adult and once again delivering a quality piece that you should be enthralled by. At the end of an episode you can almost taste the sand in the back of your throat.
If you liked this there's more historical debate and fun at @HistoryGems on Facebook and Twitter
Indeed the short lived series "Over There" which was a laudable attempt at bringing the realities of Iraq into your living room is shown up here as relying on dramatic clichés that are little more than storytelling tricks. In Generation Kill, if it happens, it happens in real time, and you may miss it- a sombre example being the mutilated remains of a little girl in episode 2 which are half seen as the convoy roars by.
The series is set around a US Marine Recon patrol in the first month or so of the Iraq war. Much of it is through the eyes of an embedded war reporter (based on Evan Wright- the author of the book on which this series is based). If you are looking for an action packed series then this is not the series for you. One the realities of war is the endless travelling along with the fight against boredom being far more relentless than the fight against the enemy. Indeed action is relatively scarce but when things do kick off the engrained training of the marines is shown to stop any panic and help the men through the chaos.
Indeed much of it could almost be described as the first military road movie with the dialogue often happening in the cramped confines of a Humvee rolling in convoy down endless roads and through featureless desert. The dialogue feels and is delivered in a totally convincing manner, although there is one marine playing himself the rest are actors (one of the main roles going to "Ziggy" from series 2 of the Wire) and the whole series has an air of authenticity.
If there was one word of warning, it's that I'm not sure what the series is trying to say. Band of brother's had survival to the end of the war as the goal but at the time of filming the US were still in Iraq so that wasn't an option, even the Wire wrapped up plots and cases but Generation Kill sort of drifts along. If it's just meant to be a record of what it's like being a marine in the Iraq war it does this admirably, but in terms of plot there isn't really one and while it's true that life has no narrative arc it does help when watching a drama.
With that said, this is gritty, vibrant, intelligent drama. It is classic HBO, treating the viewer as an intelligent adult and once again delivering a quality piece that you should be enthralled by. At the end of an episode you can almost taste the sand in the back of your throat.
If you liked this there's more historical debate and fun at @HistoryGems on Facebook and Twitter
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
you won't forget it
When my friend first showed me this series i wasn't too intreseted i saw the last 5 minutes of the 4th episode so i didn't know what to think at first but having now bought the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Shalkification
A MUST***
What an awesome show. It's realistic and not over glorified like some american war shows/films.
It's a must see if you like Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
It's a must see if you like Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
Published 3 months ago by FURRYCHOPS
Amazing
Went on the reviews and bought it, buy it or contact me and I'll give you your cash back if you dont like it.....
Published 4 months ago by ken nothin
One of the best
Has to be one of the best american moderns I have watched! I hope theres a generation kill 2! Top stuff
Published 5 months ago by Ultan
HBO does it again.
HBO, a war story based on true events.......what more incentive do you need to buy it?
Fantastic series, just a shame it wasn't longer.
Fantastic series, just a shame it wasn't longer.
Published 5 months ago by Chris
Excellent
If you like band of brothers and pacific you'll also love this. Gritty story about the american led invasion of iraq.
Published 6 months ago by J. Ross
Huge!
I'm a big big HBO fan. I try to watch all their mini series, films and other series. And this one is once again amazing. I would recommend this to anyone I know. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Hermann S. Kogel
Reality check on War Genre
One of the best war series I have seen in recent years. Allows the viewer an insight to the human psychi when under immense mental and physical stress. Read more
Published 7 months ago by SOBAL
Gave it a go but not for me
I gave this series a go but unfortunately It was not my cup of tea. I actually didn't finish the 1st episode so rating it 1 star probably it not relevant. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Richard Margetts
Turn the lights down and set the home cinema sound to MOVIE
This brilliant mini series by HBO is now out on Blu-ray and is a complete treat.
Gritty and not for the faint hearted, it offers a warts and all perspective on the
first... Read more
Gritty and not for the faint hearted, it offers a warts and all perspective on the
first... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Sisu Zisu
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