The Pacific - episode 2 (1 Viewer)

[binder001]

Well aother one has come and gone. I thought this was very good. Almost all on Guadalcanal with quite a bit of action.

Now things have to slow down while the 1st Marine Div rebuilds in Austrailia. The producers have said that this series will look at the men and the effect that the the intense combat had on them, so I'm sure we will see a lot of that.

I wonder if the Navy veterans are having kittens over this? I realize that the series is supposed to be looking at the Marines, from their point of view, but the Navy did actually bleed buckets trying to support the Marines and slow or stop the Japanese reinforcement. I can't quote the statistics right now, but I think the USN had more battle dead and woulnded in that campaign than the USMC. The story also didn't make any acknowledgement of the Cactus Air Force. An interesting series, but it sure narrows the point of view for people who don't know the history of the campaign.

Gary B.

 

[DCN1898]

I think that the Navy's sacrifice is outside of the scope of this series. It is impossible to be fair to everyone on Guadalcanal in one hour. I too would have like to have seen a little something of the Cactus Air Force. So far, I really like the series.

 

[Warrior]

The main focus of the series is on three main characters, all of whom were Marines and what they went through during and after the war.

So far, I like the pacing and the focus on the three characters, last nights episode was excellent.

By the end of this series, all of us will have an excellent idea of what the war in the Pacific was really like, none of the gung ho/John Wayne/coke bottle glasses/buck toothed Japanese stereotypes here................

 

[lancer]

DCN1898 hits the nail on the head with the phrase "outside the scope of the series". The scope of the series is from the viewpoint (however narrow) of the three main characters, Leckie, Basilone, and Sledge. They were all Marines, not Navy or Air Corps. I don't think you will see anything but what was witnessed and performed by these three men. The series isn't meant to be a balanced history of the Pacific war, but a history of these three men's war, only. The naval war or aerial war are just not in these men's experiences. This is going to be an interesting but limited view of the war and it is doing an outstanding job. -- lancer

 

[DCN1898]

I agree with lancer about the narrow view of the three Marines. But it would have been cool to see a Wildcat or Aircobra taking off or landing trailing smoke or something to that effect.

 

[marco55]

I thought the episode was very good but I am disappointed of the narrow focus on only 3 men.BOB was a little wider in scope focusing on a company.I wish it showed the broader picture for the war as only true students of the war in the Pacific will really understand the battles and campaign.
Mark

 

[Halo]

So far I am not too impressed with the series. It seems to be missing something and does not compare with Band of Brothers. I was really hoping to like it, but it is just ok. I hope it picks up........

 

[jazzeum]

So far I am not too impressed with the series. It seems to be missing something and does not compare with Band of Brothers. I was really hoping to like it, but it is just ok. I hope it picks up........

Have to agree with this. There's something about this series that I can't put my finger on. Part of it may be character development.

 

[rcleary171]

So far I am not too impressed with the series. It seems to be missing something and does not compare with Band of Brothers. I was really hoping to like it, but it is just ok. I hope it picks up........

It's hard not to compare all war films going forward to both "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers". I only saw episode 1, so I am disappointed to hear your take on the next part. It may not turn out to be a classic but I am so hungry for a good war film that I will be very forgiving.

I just joined the forum today so please forgive the opinion from a stranger.

Bob

 

[rcleary171]

Take a film like "The Big Red One". I remember going to see it with my brother in 1980. Needless to say I recall few details of the plot but the "oven scene" (see youtube link below) had left such an impact that when I found this clip the memory was still fresh.

We've come a long way from The Rat Patrol and Combat (shows that I grew up with) but it's good to not loose sight of the realities of war.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTsDdLTUHQE

 

[Warrior]

It's hard not to compare all war films going forward to both "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers". I only saw episode 1, so I am disappointed to hear your take on the next part. It may not turn out to be a classic but I am so hungry for a good war film that I will be very forgiving.

I just joined the forum today so please forgive the opinion from a stranger.

Bob

Bob,
Welcome to the forum and don't be shy about expressing your opinion, you are far from a stranger, you're one of us..........

SPR will always be the gold standard to which all future war films will be measured IMO. Band of Brothers was terrific, the attacks on Carentan, Neunen and Foy specifically.

I need to see this series from start to finish before I pass judgement on it. So far, I like it, I'm not blown away by it, but we're only two episodes in.

Funny you mention Combat and The Rat Patrol, both of which I loved as a kid and are painful to watch now.

War movies certainly have come a long way.

Thanks for joining and for joining in on the conversation, always great to see a new member come aboard..............

 

[rcleary171]

Funny you mention Combat and The Rat Patrol, both of which I loved as a kid and are painful to watch now.

I remember waiting in anticipation for the first episode of Rat Patrol. It was the hot topic in my neighborhood and school.

Thanks for joining and for joining in on the conversation, always great to see a new member come aboard..............

Thanks! This forum appears to be very active and will keep me busy for a while as I read through the posts.

Bob

 

[Louis Badolato]

Welcome, Bob!

 

[Spitfrnd]

DCN1898 hits the nail on the head with the phrase "outside the scope of the series". The scope of the series is from the viewpoint (however narrow) of the three main characters, Leckie, Basilone, and Sledge. They were all Marines, not Navy or Air Corps. I don't think you will see anything but what was witnessed and performed by these three men. The series isn't meant to be a balanced history of the Pacific war, but a history of these three men's war, only. The naval war or aerial war are just not in these men's experiences. This is going to be an interesting but limited view of the war and it is doing an outstanding job. -- lancer

That is not really different from BOB since it was limited to the viewpoint of what those in that company saw. For that matter, the same goes for SPR or many other character driven films or series.

 

[modwalls]

I have to agree with George on waiting to see the whole series before giving a thumbs up or down. I'm sure there will be some boring parts, but they are trying to give us looks from different perspectives. Nothing wrong with us all pointing out likes and dislikes of each episode. I wish I could see the whole thing in one or two nights, but that is not going to happen. I watch each episode at least twice to three times a week. I watch the previous one Sunday night, then I watch the newest after. I did the same thing with BOB. IMO, so far so good.

 

[gk5717]

Everyone, give this series time before complaining.
Watch each episode 2 or 3 more times and it gets better and better.
I,ve watched each episode 3 times so far and even the theme song is sounding great.
Gary

 

[Stryker II]

Everyone, give this series time before complaining.
Watch each episode 2 or 3 more times and it gets better and better.
I,ve watched each episode 3 times so far and even the theme song is sounding great.
Gary

I don't understand how ANYONE could complain about what Hanks and Spielber have already state biggested numerous times: "This is the biggest, most involved, and REALISTIC series that we or anyone else has ever attempted".......Stryker

 

[Stryker II]

I don't understand how ANYONE could complain about what Hanks and Spielber have already state biggested numerous times: "This is the biggest, most involved, and REALISTIC series that we or anyone else has ever attempted".......Stryker

Correction: "This is the biggest, most involved, and REALISTIC series that we or anyone else has ever attempted".........Stryker

 

[Rob]

Guys,its bad forum form you arguing about this,I havn't even seen the first episode yet!

Rob

 

[rcleary171]

Welcome, Bob!

Thanks! Looks like I found a great site with a good bunch of people.

Bob