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Jun 22, 2009 Web Exclusive By Nick Hyman

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Generation Kill is the fact that David Simon and Ed Burns made this revealing miniseries concurrently with the last season of The Wire, and both are great. Based on Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright’s 2004 book chronicling his time with the Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the 7-episode series shows us a side of war that we don’t often see. Directors Susanna White and Simon Cellan Jones share the directing responsibilities between them and illuminate a war that’s at one moment monotonous and boring and surprisingly intense the next. Oz veteran Lee Tergesen plays Wright as he interacts and documents soldiers played by True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgård, The Wire: Season Two vet James Ransone, and the scene-stealing, raspy-voiced Chance Kelly as Lt. Col. Stephen “Godfather” Ferrando.

     The show is as much about fighting itself as it is about fighting to stay sane in such a misbegotten campaign. Stylistically, Generation Kill puts you right in the middle of the action, and the high-definition transfers are often breathtaking. Extras include six commentaries over the seven episodes, a conversation with the real Marines portrayed on the show, and other odds and ends. Exclusive to this Blu-ray edition is a handy Basic Training feature that has pop-up bits of information including mission maps, chain-of-command, and a military glossary. From the start, the pace is a little slow, but once you let the show get its hooks into you, you’ll be fascinated. (www.store.hbo.com)

Author rating: 8/10