HBO's "The Pacific"

I have seen it and it is a good movie; however, I try not to buy movies I like on DVD or record them as I never watch them again.

 

Netflix doesn't have it yet, so when you see it, you should grab it. After watching it a couple of times, you can always sell it to Carl. He watches everything....

 

So, I was sitting watching the latest episode Sunday night (the midnight showing), and it hit me what was missing from the series. Simply put, monologue. Wouldn't it have been better served to convey to the viewer the thoughts and emotions of the main characters (in this case Leckie) to give a more suitable sense of the situation? For example, back in episode two, they showed a quick glimpse of a chow tent with the sign "rice without...". When Leckie eats the Peaches he puked. A simple one minute monologue conveying how malnourished and under feed the men were would have given a greater appreciation, and understanding, of why he vomits so quickly after downing the can.

It would also convey more of a sense of the story being told BY the main characters, not about them.

 

The 4th episode was kinda of important, but I wish they had scraped the 3rd episode and replaced it with the 4th.

 

I missed episode 2. Is it worth watching?

 

Yes, now that you mention it mikebatzel, some first person narration would be a great factor in putting the viewers in touch with the characters, and some insight into what is going on. For instance, after that night fire-fight, when the Marines were surveying the carnage, there could have been some useful narration to expand upon, since there is no way the scope of that fight could have been crammed into 10-12 minutes. And some further explanation into that statement of "Smitty's blind" could have used a little filling out as well. I am watching the Ken Burns production of "The War", and narration is an extremely large portion of getting the message across, explaining the stills and action shots to the viewer, who for the most part has no military experience, and cannot comprehend what they are looking at on the screen.

Maybe we should get Spielberg and Hanks to hire us on for their next project, as common sense advisors....

 

It is going to be sown on the 12th of April over here. I am looking forward to it, as BoB was one of my favorite World War 2 things I have ever watched. Although have never been as connected to the Pacific, so it will be interesting to learn some more stuff about it.

 

Hi Guys. First post on a forum so apologies if I break any posting conventions. I am keen to get watch the 'Pacific' now is beingshown over here in the UK, but concerned that it will frustrate me more than pleasure me with an over simplified, hollywood storyline.

I can see you guys know your stuff so figured that I'll let you guys decide wehther I should give my money to murdoch for the TV series.

Thanks in advance

 

Welcome Aboard ...try and make your way over to the "New Member" section and introduce yourself.

As far as the Pacific goes: It's kind of like a prostate exam; It's uncomfortable, not really entertaining, but you have to do it. Or just wait for Christmas when I am sureit will be released on DVD.

Brad

 

Atleast the next 3 episodes are combat on peleliu.

 

Hi folks, I've been away for a few days and am catching up on posts. I tend to agree here. The old adage "a picture is worth a thousand words" might be fine, but more monologue explaining the situation/circumstances would have been helpful. Those of us who have done our homework, can get the gist of the filmmaker's quick glimpes, for for the novice who has no prior knowledge of the battles/campaigns, they surely must be lost, or at least, not getting the full effect of the series.

Greg C.

 

my friend was able to "find" the first two episodes on the internet,we watched them last night, I have to say I liked it alot, cant wait for more!

 

The Pacific has its moments, for instance in Episode 4, the Japanese night attack in the pouring rain. Afterwards when the rain was hitting the hot gun barrels and causing steam....THAT was realism!

Greg C.

 

That was a good scene and welcome back.

 

I think this is every bit as good as BoB...because I wasn't expecting it to be a war movie, as it appears many of you were. My only complaint thus far is the spend the first 10 minutes recapping last weeks episode, and tonight's got over at 10 minutes to 10, so it was especially short. The war in the Pacific and the war in Europe were totally different wars...you can't look at this as "Hey there isn't as much action as BoB." They are trying to show a broad scope of entire battles in about 40 minute segments. The series it seems a lot of folks were expecting would take a year and a half to show.

 

I think the issue is that they deviated from the BoB gameplan(i.e. following a single unit throughout the conflict) The smashing together of three disparate stories makes it come off as contrived.

I'll have to disagree with you about "The Pacific" vis a vis "Band of Brothers". BoB is infinitely better in acting, entertainment value, theme song and writing. This series contains no one the quality of Damien Lewis or even Ron Livingston. When you can make David Schwimmer come off as a douche after his years as Ross Geller that says something about his acting and the writing. BoB is absolutely brilliant and a wonderful(and rare) tribute from Hollywood to our WWII heroes.

It just saddens me that Hollywood hasn't as of yet done so for the men who served in the Pacific. The two best Pacific movies are ones where either the Japanese are the main protagonists(Letters from Iwo Jima) or the story is split between the two(Tora, Tora, Tora).

 

Where's he been, the cooler?

 

finally, What we have been waiting for... some action

great 5th episode.

 

I missed last week's episode, where can I find it now?

 

HBO on Demand.

I am still not impressed........I am going to take Dale Dye off my Christmas list.