There's been a ton of chatter already about how great Generation Kill is, and after last night's engrossing and deliciously foulmouthed opener, we're not likely to disagree. We just wanted to mention something that we said offhand to someone at a party on Saturday. Generation Kill came up in conversation, as did HBO's recent troubles with original programming, and before we knew what we were saying, we opined "People will be happy with Generation Kill as long as it ain't Band of Brothers." Meaning, that it avoids the soaring score and classy, brassy enthusiasms that characterized the 2001 mini, while still being packed with some of the most interesting young actors around.
If last night was any indication, it shouldn't have any trouble there. We're not sure what we liked more: the Altman-esque layering of profane asides that littered each scene (we smell a great DVD extra there), or the way supporting characters from The Wire -- people that should have had more lines than they did, like James Ransone (aka Ziggy Sobatka) -- kept popping up. (Dude, that one po-lice with the 'stache looks kind of handsome without it!) We also like how the Evan Wright character really does seem to be in the background for the most part, just kind of pecking away at his story, but -- at least for now -- not trying for some deep understanding. Which means we're right there with him, getting our bearings, as he tags along for the ride. Some critics have complained that GK suffered from Black Hawk Down-syndrome, meaning a bunch of white guys screaming at each other. We didn't have that problem -- we thought everyone in the company got differentiated pretty darn well...
But enough about us. What did you guys think?
