DVDs in Review

Generation Kill: The Complete HBO Series (Blu-ray)

Title: Generation Kill: The Complete HBO Series (2008)

Release date: July 5 2010

Certificate: 15

Format: Blu-ray

RRP: £39.99

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

After a triumphant reception on American TV screens in 2008, and a solid DVD release in 2009, this year 'Generation Kill' makes its debut on Blu-ray. And it turns out that it really is worth another tour of duty. 

Once in a while a TV series will come around that entertains, thrills, informs and pulls in a dedicated audience, hitting the right marks with the critics and the general public. Even more rare is a show that not only leaves its mark but also raises the bar - 'Generation Kill' is one of these.

In the beginning it seems unfathomable, confusing, abrupt and uninviting - there are too many characters all looking similar, shouting, swearing and running around in equal confusion.

The direction is non linear - there isn't much of a hook or a central character and the show is littered with impenetrable dialogue (war time slang, nicknames, military terms etc).

Instead its an ensemble piece told through the eyes of a Rolling Stone reporter Evan Wright (who went on to use his real life experiences as the basic of the source novel of which this miniseries is based).

He's reporting the first month or so of the Iraq war (a tricky subject for any film or series, let alone devoting nearly 350 minutes to), standing alongside the guys who are fighting through thick and thin. It ranges from sheer boredom to gruelling action as all of the men go on a journey as the army takes them on a literal trip to Baghdad.

But don't expect those end of episode cliffhangers or sweeping music to enhance the drama - often we're left on a contemplative note. This is solid, adult and mature drama that just happens to be set in a place where bullets whiz overhead.

The men go looking for action but when they find it, the scenarios are more realistic than they expect. An American dream disintegrates in the dessert heat as pride and glory take blasts of hostile and friendly fire. To grant so much truth and consequences to a reporter is unheard of.

It isn't all hard hitting stuff either - there are laughs aplenty, which helps 'Generation Kill' to become supremely human. The reason behind the success must surely lie in the hands of its creators David Simon and Ed Burns - after all these are the men who brought us 'The Wire'.

And in between the conflicts and resolutions? Sitting around. Twiddling thumbs. Waiting. This approach will strip 'Generation Kill' of a few million viewers but for those who brave the calms before the storms (just as the factual characters did themselves) there is sheer power around the corner.

All in all, 'Generation Kill' is verging on brilliant. Its controversial subject matter is handled with care but not too much care as to place a flag in every shot. While seen through the eyes of one man, this puts up a good case for both sides of the American forces even if it does bypass the enemy somewhat.

It intriguingly shows men doing a job to the best of their ability knowing that others will judge their actions, tossing their own judgements aside. In short it gives faceless heroes and villains a personality. Fans of quality, thoughtful TV should definitely enlist.