User reviews

As a US Marine I can pretty much relate to everything that went on in this series... From the banter among low ranks, to the stupid games we have to endure, to living in terrible conditions, it's all here. To weapons jamming and MRE's, this series really has it all. The thing that caught my attention was how they captured the terrible leadership at times from the powers that be. I'm here to tell you there is some pitiful officers leading men into battle. And then you have some outstanding NCO's that make things happen. This series shows it all and from my perspective, this is probably as close as it gets to the real thing. Wanna be a United State Marine? This will give you a little insight on what it's like after bootcamp. Some great actors in this show and have to give all the credit to the producers and director. Guarantee they had real Marines on set making sure they got things as accurate as they were allowed. This was a solid solid series and will watch it again and again... man I miss being around my Brothers and everything that goes with being a Marine... Semper Fi Rudy!!!

Every Marine that I know who's read this book, and the couple that have caught the first episode has nothing but good things to say about the material. David Simon and Ed Burns did a great job of sticking to the heart of Wright's story--and from what I've heard, even referenced Lt. Fick's personal account (One Bullet Away)--of that deployment as well. As an active duty Sergeant in the USMC, most of my enlistment has involved working with and managing the same kind of colorful personalities seen in GK. I lost track of how many times we laughed at random "unfunny" scenes because the accuracy of the mannerisms, terminology, or situations depicted.

The one thing that caught me off guard was, after watching all the HBO trailers, the lack of music. I kept expecting to hear that campy trailer music sprite up the background, but it never happened. Oh well, you can't win em all.

YOU WILL ABIDE BY THE GROOMING STANDARD.

First off, viewers should realize that this series is about a marine recon team. This is not about the army, navy, air force, etc. Most armed forces members will tell you that the people in the Marines are a different breed from other members. They are often by nature, more aggressive, angry, patriotic, racist, need to prove something, excited to kill something, etc. If you get annoyed by that, then don't watch Generation Kill. Regardless, the series is good because, although the series isn't a deep philosophical "thin red line",(judging by the demeanor and mentality of a lot of the soldiers in the film it would seem a bit unrealistic), it is an honest portrayal of the mindset, expectations, and mentality of these specific groups of soldiers. Another strong point is the relatively lack of action. This is also an honest portrayal. Much of war is 95% of sitting around, doing random chores, getting bored out of your mind, mixed in with 5% of terror and serious fighting which can shake anyone's mental foundation and nerves. . I feel this series captured this rather well.

The only downside to the film was David simon's typecasting of the obnoxious character from season 2 of the wire (wire fans will know what im talking about). It was good once, but not twice. Additionally, Skarsgard acting is rather wooden and questionable, particularly his accent, which ranges from southern, to standard, to something I've never heard of. I've lived in Scandinavia for quit some time so i've come quite accustomed to hearing their English, which is mostly excellent, but there are still hints.

Agree with the war or not, this series shows the bravery, albeit at times maniacal nature of men, who go into action when called upon.

As a former Marine who was deployed to the same place at the same time, I think this show did an excellent job of capturing the 'essence' of what the invasion of Iraq was like to the men who were there. This show comes closer to accurately portraying wartime Marines than any other show I've ever seen. I think this is as close as Hollywood can get short of being there and filming it live. Sometimes the special effects are a little over the top, but the dress, demeanor and dialog of the characters are very accurate.

The attitudes, bearing, and language of the Marines portrayed are spot on, as well as the day to day problems and trials they encounter. I guess what I really like about this show is the lack of cheesy moto propaganda. The films are light on pro- or anti- war propaganda and heavy on truth. I'm sure some people think that the 'get some' attitude of the Marines glorifies the war while others think that pulling no punches in the collateral damage department is anti-war, but that isn't the case. These films boldly show the invasion of Iraq for what it was, for better or worse. The Marines have 'get some' attitudes in this show because Marines really have that attitude. Collateral damage, chaos and confusion among U.S. forces are in the show because it really happens in warfighting.

What you get to see here is a one-of-a-kind mini-series: this is as close to a documentary as it gets. The realities of modern warfare are shown honestly with no political agenda and you are left to draw your own conclusions.

When I watched this series I remembered a quote from another film, 'The Siege' from 1998, where Bruce Willis' character, a high ranking army official, says something along the lines of: "The army is a broad sword - not a scalpel. So trust me, you do not want to call the army, unless you have absolutely no other option".

From an artistic point of view what stands out the most is the ensemble of actors. Not once during the entire seven episodes did I not believe I was watching the actual characters - the performances and the direction in this production are flawless. I've never seen a series that felt as real as this.

This goes beyond mere entertainment - this is simply the best contemporary television has to offer. 10 out of 10.

Favorite films: http://www.IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/

Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

Favorite Low-Budget and B-Movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/

Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/

As a marine who was part of OIF/OEF & the invasion and crossed paths with and personally knew members of the Force Recon unit profiled, it's one of the most accurate wartime movies I've ever seen! Absolutely perfect to the smallest detail! That aside, the filmmaking was also phenomenal from the cinematography to the special effects. What you see here is exactly how it was and is in modern combat and in the USMC to the letter. Brought back a ton of memories. Great performances great everything! 10/10! A must see!

I had heard of "Generation Kill" when it premiered in 2008, but was unable to view since I do not have HBO. So I forgot about it for a while until some time ago I was looking around at the local library when I just happened to sight this little, television masterpiece, and decided, especially in light of what the result of our adventure in Iraq has been in the last few years, to give it a chance. And though I can't say "Generation Kill" was necessarily my favorite viewing experience, I'm glad I did. Based off of the memoirs of a Rolling Stone reporter embedded with the 1st Marine Recon Unit during the first days of the US invasion of Iraq, it begins on the eve of that faithful event by introducing the viewer to the men of 1st Marine Recon (many of whom are based off of real life Marines), their code, standards, and every day experience. When they learn that the invasion is going ahead, they also learn that a reporter from Rolling Stone will be coming with them. Initially reluctant to having a greenhorn tag along with them, they warm up to the young writer when they learn he used to write for Penthouse, a magazine many of these young, red blooded males are familiar with! Through the production, we see the course of events through the eyes of the Marines and their "hang around" in a the most unsugar coated method possible, and we come away with no illusions about what war is really like.

What makes "Generation Kill" so different from other war productions is the fact that it strips away the unnecessary fluff and puff and presents the story in an almost character ensemble/documentary style. In "Generation Kill" there is no music score or opening theme, only the crackle and chatter of voices over the radio greets us at the beginning and end credits of each episode, multiple units and men sounding off into the dead of night, which truth be told, is far more effective than any music theme could be (That being said, the final scenes of the last episode feature a most appropriate use of Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around", the only recorded song used in the entire series). There is also not much in the way of heroics or glory for the simple reason that in war, there is none to be found. There are no eagles soaring, or glory sounding tunes, or any other BS like that; only following the orders of your superiors (Even if they're complete fools or incompetent), hurrying up and waiting, and of course, death and destruction.

And that last part is especially evident in "Generation", as the series pulls no punches in regards to the civilian "collateral damage" that occurred in Iraq during our invasion, and thus shows the cost civilians pay when armies, even with the best of intentions, come charging into their environment in a combat role (To those who think US troops patrolling troubled neighborhoods would be a good idea, I challenge them to watch this and then try to argue for that idea!). All of this is effectively shown through the tremendous efforts of the directors, producers, show runners, writers, and actors such as Jon Huertas, Alexander Skarsgard, Lee Tergesen, Stark Sands, Neal Jones, Michael Kelly, Chance Kelly, former real life 1st Marine Rudy Reyes, James Ransone, and many, many more who I don't have the space for. To round it up, "Generation Kill" is a mini-series that leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to the chaos and absurd nature of conflict, be it Iraq or anywhere else. As one former Marine commented here, this is the closet thing to war short of going there and actually filming it. For a former service member to say that, you know they did something right here. If you want to see what the reality of conflict without actually being there, then check out "Generation Kill". Stay frosty.

Brilliant war drama.

The story of 1st Marine Reconnaissance Battalion's participation in the second Allied invasion of Iraq, in 2003. Seen through the eyes of Rolling Stone reporter Evan Wright, who was embedded with the Battalion and upon whose book the series is based.

Though dramatized, this is pretty much a warts-and-all account of a military unit in combat. Hardly glamorous, it shows well the problems they face, both external and internal.

Not all drama and explosions - there are many great comedic moments, especially in the dialogue.

Accurate, engrossing and entertaining.

Before some one comments on this mini-series they have to understand that is based entirely in truth. I first picked up the book while I was traveling home on leave shortly after returning from Iraq and read it in one sitting on the plane. One of the things that I find to be the most outstanding about the book and the series so far is that it is true to the people. I don't mean that it gives us something new and authentic to ponder. I can't think of any instance where the book or show goes into the political aspect of Iraq. And you know why. Because Marines don't make policy. They enforce it, regardless of there personal feelings towards it.

I am personally tired of hearing the comments about the show being cliché' If they spend anytime around the military they will find that most of characters portrayed are just like the young men serving. Marines are a different breed. They are asked to do different things that most of society would not understand. Enjoy the show and try not to get your mind wrapped around it to much.

Proof that "Generation Kill", the miniseries produced by HBO films and written by David Simon and Ed Burns, their first project after the end of their television landmark "The Wire", a series which is completely incomparable in quality and scope to anything which has come before or since, is too intelligent to be concerned with simplistic political sloganeering, blind patriotism, or taking an anti-militaristic stance is the reaction which the political extremes have had to it. Any person with far right views I've spoken to or read on the internet has said similar things: this movie emasculates the marines and turns them into bleeding heart liberals (presumably because the film, and I will be referring to this as a film from this point onwards because it's definitely as much a film as "Berlin Alexanderplatz" is, has the guts to portray them as having compassion for wounded or killed civilians), and any person with far left views I've spoken to has apparently found the film to be immoral, presumably because it portrays men who spew violent, racist, homophobic, and misogynist invective as human beings.

In fact, "Generation Kill" is the farthest thing from either celebrating the military or being anti-militaristic. Like on "The Wire", David Simon and Ed Burns are on the side of the working class, as Kent Jones in Film Comment points out, and they have no interest in making a moral judgment on the nature of the work they're portraying, whether it's teaching, politics, drug dealing, or invading a country. Like Simon went beyond portraying drug dealers on "The Wire" to transporting us to their world and showing us their own problems, their own moral standards, their own worries and concerns, and introduced us to their own vernacular, he does the same with the marine corps in "Generation Kill". Like "The Wire", this is cunning and clever drama: it is political without taking sides, concerned with the inefficiency and bad planning coming 'from above' but without putting the blame on any individuals. It portrays people, some less likable and morally or politically correct than others, but people.

The only thing keeping "Generation Kill" from truly being a military version of "The Wire" is that its comparatively limited scope- it takes place within the first, 'triumphant' week of the invasion, and focuses pretty much only on one group of people. I'm entirely convinced that Simon could have written a thoroughly engrossing and fascinating drama about the Iraq war which extended past these five days, one which would have taken us past the marine corps into the lives of the other military units involved in the invasion, and the higher-ups as well, as he did starting in season 3 in "The Wire". As it stands, this is not a limitation of the power which "Generation Kill" holds, but a masterstroke in its success of making its point: every element which has made the situation in Iraq so chaotic was present in a latent form from the beginning. The film is not even really making a moral judgment of the war in Iraq, if anything it supports a well-executed version of it: most of the Iraqis we see, nearly 90% of them, are incredibly grateful, at least at this early stage, for being relieved of Saddam's rule.

Moreover, no American marine or any Iraqi is portrayed simplistically as a 'bad guy' or 'good guy', not even the bloodthirstiest of the Americans, and this writing is brought to life admirably well by the mostly perfect cast and the excellent direction and production value (it is obviously not a big-budget Hollywood film, but it still achieves real authenticity in almost every regard- the closest I came to disbelieving it was when a few Iraqis were portrayed as darker-skinned than any I've seen). The closest thing to a villain in the film is Saddam himself, who makes no literal appearance outside of posters on the streets, but then again he is pretty much the closest thing to a movie 'bad guy' in reality.

"Generation Kill" is, like "The Wire", ultimately a workplace drama about workplace politics. That the stakes are higher and that the innocent are killed even more often than they are on "The Wire" is irrelevant to the writers. This may make "Generation Kill" boring to those accustomed to and expecting a more standard war film, one which attempts an anti-war or pro-war statement. Like "The Wire" again, what the viewer is left with in the end is only a dislike of unnecessary violence and casualties, and a portrayal of the toll they take on those involved in either perpetrating the violence or those related to the victims. Both "The Wire" and "Generation Kill" are dramatically built on disappointment and disillusionment with the system in place itself, and like "The Wire" it is all about bad decisions, mistakes, and the rare good decision. The film ends with a montage and a song, much like every season of "The Wire", and with its subtle summation of the hours gone by and its emotional impact it cements David Simon's status as one of the greatest and most important writers of our time.

I accept the many comments stressing the accuracy of this series, with reservations. The action sequences are very well done. If they seem jerky, chaotic, and difficult to comprehend, that is because, combat is not linear. It is a series of random perceptions, difficult to place in any logical order. The Marines look reasonably authentic. They are young looking, just as my rifle platoon Marines were young. At 24, I was the oldest member of the platoon, but for my experienced platoon sergeant. Lt. Fick looks young, but he is just right. Incidentally, his book, "One Bullet Away" is excellent. It is more accurate than the HBO series. A couple of points where I take issue: my Marines were a lot less talkative than these Recon Marines. Maybe 50 years has made a difference, but the banter was a lot less in my day. Communication was often much more subtle, almost like that between husband and wife, when a single word, an expression, or a gesture was all that was required. Definitely no long soliloquies about any topic. Somewhere in the Marine Corps there may be a Sgt Major that is as big a jerk as this one but I never saw a senior NCO even 1/10 of the one portrayed. I would also say that the lieutenants and captains with whom I served were more solid and less uneven than this group. I experienced some majors who were painful, but I don't recall a PFC who was as pitiful as Capt. America. Also, let me note that these Marines were living the good life compared to our day, when C Rations were the field chow, there was no energy drink, baby wipes, or other similar goodies. Language was bad in the '60s, and the series accurately captures radio speak, acronym usage, and obscene, black humor. There was more formality in addressing each other: my corporals were Corporal X. I was always lieutenant, although it came out like "tenant". My company commander never used my first name. I was always lieutenant. Marines are different. The series captures that, and is a solid contribution to culture.

I'm also glad there is no music. Music (though moving) would have taken away the grit to this story and given it a more artificial feel. It's amazing how much of the dialog and situations are straight from the book, and how perfectly spot on they are showing Recon Marine culture.

I'm glad Rudy and Kocher got to play themselves. Though I only personally know Pappy out of these characters, it's obvious they are working as hard as they can (within Hollywood's tradition) to portray it as it happened. I hope they continue this series at least until the end of the invasion. I can't wait to see the action at the bridge and the other ambushes.

Oh, and the Sgtmaj. harping on grooming standards during combat operations is so hilarious because it's so true!

Love the wire but this glorification, with a pinch of sense of humor to distract from the horror of war? Doesn't work on everyone, not everyone is a macho marine who served and of course, they love the show, why won't they? To hide the guilt of war crimes and killing innocent people in the name of 'freedom' or the evil 'wmd', not the good wmd which they themselves sell. There is a reason why it's always the third world countries become a test subject for the weaponry, which they are going to sell to the world, a slideshow created with the help of patriotic men/women who believe or end up believing that there is always an enemy, but they do charity too, U. N's whole existence is to create the 'humane' look after the countries in the U. N completely destroy third world countries. It's like hail mary, after committing genocide.

The direction was almost perfect, very visceral and the actors were good but the whole point of war, or the feelings about the war was never discussed in a fashion that left an impact, instead it was like 'that's how it is' and never questioning. The whole thing about most of 'hajis' can't speak english or being primitive is just the way hollywood is, lacking to do its homework and still stuck with the cave dweller template.

Honest look at what went on in America's war for "Iraqi Freedom". The series is from the point of view of First Recon Marines. It gives us a realistic look of modern warfare, the combat is the most authentic i have come across, it doesn't hype the action for cinematic values. Be warned you won't get to see much of action but when it happens it's tense.

As in real life so in series the Marines are made up of unique characters, there are capable as well as dumb officers. The soldiers come from different background and races, there are Mexicans, South Americans, Blacks, Rednecks, some are educated, some joined out of patriotism, some were given choice between jail term or marine school. Everyone's brain tuned in differently, the only thing common between them are the unity of brotherhood and them being highly trained killers.For me the best part and the highlight of the series are the humors and sarcastic banter among the soldiers.

After watching the series I did some research and found out most of the names and designation are from real people and actual facts.In fact two of guys played themselves.

The series is pretty much controversy free which is surprising considering it shows some stuff which the Government would have liked kept out of limelight.

Do watch it, it's fun as well as education.

Ok. First off, I've never served in the military and definitely have been in a combat zone. So - my opinion is the opinion of an educated, but largely personally ingorant viewer of a war series.

So. Then. Disclosure having been made, I have watched this series easily, start to finish, 20 times. It's a go-to in my iPad when I travel - and it's always engaging.

The depth is was gets me. I read the book, and the series is a good adaptation - giving the viewer the incredibly nuanced view of what the First Recon Marines experienced in the invasion of Iraq.

Now - I've read a review form New York Times writer Troy Patterson - who obviously disliked it - and as you would expect from the NYT the opinion comes from a place of intentional ignorance - and, largely, from complete failure to see the depth of the actors and the experience of Marines in that theater.

For example - the false bravado - and superficially racist banter that pervades the series - is an incredibly interesting contrast the reality of how every one of these men would put down their lives for their brothers, black, white, brown, whatever. They understand, implicitly, that "sticks and stone (and bullets) break bones - while people of substance understand just how trivial and inconsequential words are in a place where people are trying to kill you and you need to have faith in your right and left hand fellow soldier.

Ultimately, the series is just that - a study in contrasts - the boredom followed by frenetic fear. The need to adhere to orders, and the gross incompetence of some who give them. Ultimately, the series transcends it's own setting and gives us a slice of reality that illustrates how some things matter and some things don't.

When people are killing and being killed - there is no place for discussion of "safe spaces" or "microaggressions".

Just a great, great series. Watch it.

I'm not sure why I had not heard of this significant production, but now that I have seen it, I think it's easily a high quality, contemporary version of "Band of Bros" as seen through the context of Operation Desert Storm. As a retired US Navy guy who worked closely with the USMC, I found GK to be so spot on - from the incredible production values, the military jargon, the acting, script, to the cinematography - all were of the highest caliber. I hope GK was richly awarded after it's release, because it is worthy of praise on every level. The ensemble cast brought their "A"-game, and the dynamics and dialogue between the characters should be studied by every film school student. I can't give Generation Kill a high enough rating or endorsement.

I enjoyed this immensely, and without revealing my views on the war on Iraq, I must say that I fail to see where these anti-war propaganda/war mongering commentaries are relevant.

Understandingly the Iraqi war has deep-set emotions with the American Public, but I did not feel that this in any way glorified, nor vilified the US troops. Nor did it so for the Iraqis. How anyone can regard this as left-wing anti-war propaganda is beyond me, as it seemed most of the characters had very human and sympathetic traits. As all of us who have served in the military know, there are often extreme personalities(i.e racist, militant, fundamental religious beliefs etc), by the sheer fact that the armed forces are a cross-section of any country's inhabitants, but they all showed camaraderie and discipline more than hostility towards humanity in my point of view.

although I said I wouldn't reveal my views regarding, I now feel compelled to do so. I am a huge opposer of the war in Iraq, and I feel great resentment towards many of the US foreign policies, but that does not mean that I do not enjoy the story on a personal level, nor that I can not sympathize with a country in war. By entertainment standards, this is some of the best television I've seen in a long while, and I can't WAIT for the next episode.

I have sat here for last 20 mins to decide what to write, So here it is: Final Scene will keep you awake at night......

Well it could be more real if you actually went there (if you did, I'm pretty certain you appreciate the way this was made). But not having been there and only being able to judge this from afar, this feels close to a documentary, in a very good sense that is.

It is only 7 episodes long and the makers of Wire are behind it as the discs did not fail to state. This is way different than the Wire though. This is about war, this is about a generation and how they got "hoaxed" into a war. This is how people view things, what their expectation was and how leadership can be quite failed. Putting the wrong people in charge, not having checked their psychology can lead to quite the disaster. Even if not, it is quite awful to watch what one of the people who commands others does himself.

But war does do certain things to a person. Depending on what they want to do, they mental state, they might go overboard. And the series throws you, without much explanation. It is confusing and irritating ... it is also gold and a must see watch.

Like many others, I heard about David Simon et al doing Generation Kill as an idea long before it was made and while The Wire was still being screened. Interested, I read the book and enjoyed it as a piece of journalism and I understood what it was that perhaps attracted those behind The Wire to this in particular. When it came to watching the miniseries myself I had to mind myself in a couple of ways. Firstly I was careful that I didn't have my mind made up in regards how I felt it should be but, more importantly I had to make sure that I didn't start watching it with the decision already made that it was "brilliant".

I do not mean to criticise others but there is the temptation for Wire fans to love anything associated with it – sometimes before the thing in question is yet to be seen. I forced myself into this mode because I am prone to that quite often – deciding I know what something is before I have seen it. Much like The Wire, Generation Kill has a slow start and a pace that is a lot more patient than the setting (and trailers) would have you believe. To some this will be a problem but to me it just added to how convincing it was that we didn't have huge action sequences and much in the way of shootouts (in an action sense). This is not to say that there is no action, because there is, but it is delivered in a realistic way that is regularly shocking or tense but not really exciting in the Hollywood sense. If anything a lot of it is matter-of-fact in the presentation, while the content is shocking. One good example of this is the incorrect levelling of a village in episode 3 – it just happens suddenly and totally, but an ambush on a bridge is perhaps a better example of the series when a fire-fight occurs. It is frantic, chaotic and disorientating and the viewer is in the middle of it much like the reporter.

Speaking of chaos, throughout the miniseries you can see what about the story attracted Simon etc to it. Much like The Wire we have a war that is going badly with those at the top protecting themselves and keeping distant from the reality, middle-managers are left to make the toughest calls as the pressure comes down on them from above to solve the problems and all the time those on the ground have the best perspective but no power – only frustration and, in some cases, apathy. It does this really well because, despite what we get to see, at no point could it be accused of being "against the troops". Instead it points to unseen authority figures much higher up the power structure than our point of view allows us to see. It never blunders this point home though and it stays away from going after specifics or scoring easy points; in managing this what we get is a much more engaging story because it leaves the viewer to form an opinion without the heavy air of anger or judgement.

The "story" structure helps this. The obvious adaptation is to do it from the pov of the reporter character and, with his introduction I had assumed this is where it was going as it is a common device. It doesn't do this though and instead has an effective ensemble feel build around a loose focus on one unit in particular, led by Brad Colbert. The slight downside of this is that the show could be accused of having no "plot" because in truth it doesn't have a specific flow other than being embedded with the characters – I suppose it could be called an apt point that the narrative certainly doesn't have an "end" (although the series does to a point – albeit a rather obvious one that channels but never fulfils the spirit of The Wire's season conclusions).

The Wire always had good performances across the board and on the whole Generation Kill manages to do the same thing. The obvious star is the cool and charismatic Skarsgård who is a real rock at the centre of the show. Equally impressive though is someone who I disliked in his character when he was in season 2 of The Wire but who is a lot more natural and engaging here – Ransone. Tergesen brings little because the material isn't there for him and mostly he feels a bit out of place – almost too recognisable for such a role. I go though as performances are roundly solid from Sands, Lush, Huertas, Kelly and others. Some didn't quite work as well – Nenninger seemed to struggle to make something of Capt America, he tries but it was a big ask to make him more than the character that came across in the book. The production standards are high here, with the effects being convincing and the sets worked really well (only one moment in the final episode, driving under the swords statue, didn't feel real).

Generation Kill will not garner the praise directed at The Wire and nor should it really because it is not quite that good, mainly down to the nature of the material and the short run. It is however, still very good. Built on similar themes as The Wire, Gen Kill builds a convincing world and allows the viewer to draw the conclusions that are obvious. The acting is mostly good even if many people have limited character in their parts and the production values are high. Very engaging and impressive piece of work from the equally good book of the same name.

Problem with this tv show is the pace. 7 episodes is way too long. And ofcourse a lot of American patriotism is for an European way over the top. Nevertheless the acting is more than okay, altough Captain America is complete over the top. Can t believe that people compare this with Band of Brothers, that is a complete other Leaque

Having loved The Wire I was interested to see how its producers would deal with the subject of war. Obviously this series is quite different, after all it is only eight episodes long rather than five seasons. It also has a much smaller cast as it follows a small group of US Marines from the desert of Saudi Arabia where they are waiting to go to war to the streets of Baghdad where they realise that even though they've won the war winning the peace will be another thing altogether.

The series makes no concession to those who don't know military terminology which makes it all seem very real to the viewer. One might expect a series about war to be non-stop action with our heroic protagonists valiantly battling the enemy while saving women and children caught in the cross fire... not here though most of the time is spent driving or just sitting around and when there is action they are just as likely to be engaging some poor civilian who is in the wrong place at the wrong time as an enemy combatant. I know some people found the inaction boring but I was gripped from start to finish.

The series managed to walk a fine line avoiding both the glorification of war and the demonisation of those involved in this unpopular war. Our heroes aren't depicted as angels, they each have their flaws but also they each have their charms.

Surprisingly for a series about such a serious subject there are quite a few laugh out loud moments, I particularly laughed in an early episode when they were finding about what was going on by listening to the BBC News... complete with cricket commentary.

This is a realistic, professional, well filmed, well scripted, well directed and very well produced mini-series.

But, (unfortunately there is a big 'but') it is also a very finely politicized piece of work. It is not the usual "in your face" denigration of the war and / or US foreign policy in general, but a carefully woven net into which most unsuspecting viewers are very likely to fall into. It's not only that it is an anti-war film, which in itself would be fine, but in essence it is a very Anti-American film. I would very much like to (and will) read the book in order to be able to understand whether this was a direction given by the author or by the show's writers / producers. I believe it was probably a little of both.

I refuse to believe that almost the entire USMC Officer Cadre is a bunch of babbling, incompetent idiots. If this where true as depicted in the movie, I cannot see how they could have won any war, not just this one in Iraq in the time that they did (I will leave the issue of the Post-war management fiasco out of this review as it is not pertinent to the movie, and would just like to remind the reader of this article that the Iraq campaign the mini series is dealing with was unanimously acclaimed as one of the best planned, fastest, and most successful military campaigns of all time). I refuse to believe that there are Captains not only within the USMC but in one of it's most elite units of the likes of 'Captain America' that are left in command after committing the things depicted in 'Generation Kill'. Such an incompetent and cowardly person would never even pass a preliminary screening for any job, let alone become a Captain of one of the most elite military units in the world... And then the other officers portrayed... it is simply ridiculous!

In other, the series is affected by another 'modern' grievance. It believes that soldiers (especially Americans) are supposed to philosophically interpret the reasons behind every shot they are to fire before doing so in order to maintain their 'high ground'. Well, unfortunately wars do not work like that. Wars have always been and will always be without exception an ugly, bloody, unfair mess where only the strongest survive ("Homo Homini Lupus" the Ancient Romans used to say). A perfect example is a scene in the series where a sergeant on a roadblock fires a smoke grenade toward an approaching vehicle in order to warn it and avoid having to shoot at it (an honorable gesture in order to avoid civilian casualties), but the grenade accidentally bounces of the ground and hits in the head an old Iraqi peacefully walking on the side of the road, killing him instantly. The movie uses this and other such examples in order to portray the US forces as incompetent, uncaring and sometimes downright blood thirsty. I will not deny that any and all armies have such individuals in their midst, and US armed forces are certainly not without them. But to me, the above mentioned incident only goes to show that tragedies occur in war, even when instigated by the noblest of intentions, let alone in the midst of combat.

It is on such occasions and its insistence on preaching such pseudo moral issues that "Generation Kill" miserably fails the test of reality, and that makes it a much lesser movie than it rightfully could and should have been.

This is certainly no Band of Brothers and the drive to watch it is more out of a sense of morbid curiosity. But what is does reinforce is the concept of basic stupidity of the average Marine, and the lost reason and sanity of a few intelligent Marines in an otherwise testosterone laden landscape of illiteracy and limited vocabulary. I would like to think that this is a piece of fiction, but I fear this is , as others have said, true to life. It makes me sad to be an American if this is a true and actual depiction of what it is to be a Marine. if this is true it does not give one a sense that we will win anything based on intelligence, but rather by brute force. I suspect you could consider this a sanitized version of what the Defense Department didn't want you to see during the real war. None of thee men are heroes as you would find in Band of Brothers, where people rallied to a well defined enemy and the country made huge sacrifices to support the war effort.