The new HBO mini-series event The Pacific aired on the network his past Sunday and has been met with mixed reviews from critics. Expectations for The Pacific were set pretty high, with it being expected to be a great followup and companion piece to Band of Brothers, the World War II mini-series that HBO debuted back in 2001 to rave reviews from critics and fans. With only one episode aired so far this series certainly deserves a chance, and HBO is trying to give it just that, by offering the first episode up on its website for free viewing to the masses.
The Pacific, which is produced by the same crew that brought us Band of Brothers, including Tom Hanks and Steven Speilberg, is a bit different stylistically than Band of Brothers, which might be the reason for some of the unrest. Where Band of Brothers gritty and thick with substance, The Pacific has been accused of having less story and more style and visual effects. While I'd agree that The Pacific certainly has a different feel and atmosphere to it than Brothers, it seems harsh to say that it has less substance. I found the visuals on the first episode to be stunning, pulling me into the world in which these characters live and breath. The harsh reality that character Robert Leckie must endure while he and his fellow marines defend an airfield on the island of Guadalcanal not only takes an emotional toll on the characters, but on the viewers as well. The Pacific isn't supposed to be Band of Brothers 2, although many can't help but think of it that way, an extension of the modern classic that proceeded it. But is The Pacific better than Band of Brothers? Ask me again after the tenth episode and I'll let you know what I think. For now give The Pacific a chance and check out the free first episode on HBO.com.
The synopsis for the first episode is listed below.
Part 1: Guadalcanal/Leckie: In the immediate aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Marine Sgt. John Basilone prepares to ship out and confront the enemy somewhere in the Pacific, while budding journalist Robert Leckie enlists in the Marine Corps. Eugene Sledge, unable to enlist because of a heart murmur, says farewell to his best friend, Sidney Phillips, who is about to leave for boot camp. Exactly eight months after Pearl Harbor, the 1st Marine Division, including Leckie and Phillips, lands on Guadalcanal in order to secure its strategically vital airfield and prepare for the inevitable counterattack.
I've been waiting for this series since it was announced after "Band of Brothers" ended. You're right, this won't be BoB2, but I think it will be an inspiring look at the other half of WWII. I was very impressed with the first episode and if the rest of the mini-series is as good, I'll have to get it for my collection. I was surprised that they started with the Marines' arrival on Guadalcanal, but I believe it was the right choice. The attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway have already had cinematic coverage (Pearl Harbour, Midway, Tora Tora Tora.) This is the part we haven't seen much of. I can't wait till next Sunday.
—STOP buying into the set-up folks!FACT IS —Having made BILLIONS upon BILLIONS these past decades outsourcingand catering to the franchise slum denial needs of history's MOST awesomelygenocidal regime —ACROSS the Pacific —Hollywood continues to run formoral cover behind ad nauseum, anachronistic PC WWII retreads—EVEN on this! —the once again 'mysteriously overlooked' 60th Anniversary of the truly epic, relevant —indeed, STILL unfolding———–KOREAN WAR!