Kmac:
This
little experiment of ours in reviewing movies has brought out some
repeating themes. I knew I had a type when it came to movies and things I
watched out for but as I write these I realise some themes come back
time and again. A big one is my general distaste for violence in movies.
When I find a movie that is so good I look past the violence it is the
exception and not the rule. I majored in History and so historical
movies can either be done well or not but they hold few surprises. I
knew that the Pacific was a horrifically violent theater of war in World
War II. I knew that if the historical footage was hard for me to watch a
more vivid recreation would be just as hard. I also knew I should watch
it anyways, at least once.
My
take on historical war dramas is usually the watch it once approach. I
almost feel I owe it to the people who gave their lives not to turn away
from the horrors they faced but be appreciative that they faced them.
When Band of Brothers came out about the Eastern theatre in World War II
I took this approach and to my surprise have watched it over and over
again. The violence was no easier to watch, and granted I watch the non
fighting episodes more than the others, but it was so well written and
filmed that I keep coming back to it when I need to feel good about my
country. The Pacific was produced by Steven Spielberg as well and while
I’m glad I watched it I do not think I will be coming back to it the
same way.
The
Pacific was always going to have a different feel in that the war in
the Pacific was different than the one in Europe fundamentally. The war
in Europe was more what we expect when we envision war, two armies
marching from opposite sides, exchanging fire, fortifying positions. The
war in the Pacific is almost claustrophobic. Tiny islands of great
value, men entrenched not in trenches but in caves and holes. It also
was deadlier and these casualties are concentrated in small areas. The
men’s eyes are more hollow, as it should be, but is incredibly difficult
to watch.
The
acting in this movie is great. The action follows three main characters
so it is easier to get to know each one individually and see how the
war changes them as it progresses. By the end of the series when the
fighting stops you can breath again but you can still see the weight
these men will continue to carry around. The actors do an excellent job
of showing this to you.
Just
watch this series. Force yourself if you have to. Don’t try and compare
it to Band of Brothers because it is like apples and oranges. You will
be glad you watched in the end. I give The Pacific 4.5 out of 5 VJ Day
celebrations.
Jmac:
Ok
so Kmac said she wanted to watch ‘Sugar and Spice’, and I really didn't
want to and had given her the choice between ‘Generation Kill’ or ‘The
Pacific’. So then she gave me the option of ‘Sugar and Spice’ or ‘Sister
Act 1’, which we then started watching. About thirty minutes into it I
could not take Whoopi Goldberg’s crappy acting, which I remembered was a
big part of what I hated about Nickelodeon, I don't know why anyone
ever though she could be a role model for children. So then we put in
‘Sugar and Spice’.
Sugar
and Spice was actually much better than I had recalled it being. It has
several actors that should be easily recognized if you have seen any
90s movie.
The
plot centers around a squad of cheerleaders that decide to rob a bank
for one reason or another, and all the hijinks that go into getting
ready for the heist. One girl is knocked up, another needs to pay for
Harvard, and another not in the squad just wants to be included, and
serves as the narrator of the movie.
I give it 3.9 double twisting back flip dismounts out of 5.
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