Well, I do. In fact, if'n I was put to it, I'd have to declare Band of Brothers the single most important, most impactful dramatic television event in my lifetime, maybe in all the history of television. I said dramatic, so don't start in on me with the Challenger explosion or the twin towers falling. Band of Brothers made such an impact on me that I consider it to be one of my all time favorite movies of all time. Now, I know what you're going to say. You're gonna say, "Well, Band of Brothers was a television miniseries and doesn't really qualify as a movie." And I say, to each his own. I say it's the best movie you'll never see in a theater, and I also think any of the episodes stand up to just about any movie (especially in the realm of World War II films) that you can find to compare them to.You might be wondering why I'm slobbering all over myself about a TV show that's nearly 10 years old. So, let me get to the gettin'. Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Gary Goetzman, and writer Bruce McKenna (all of whom worked on Band of Brothers) have re-teamed once again to give us a look at the Pacific Theater of Operations, from the perspective of those that served in it, Band of Brothers style.
Folks, I hate to put a measuring stick on it, but besides The Hobbit, this is the film event that I have been waiting for above anything else.
The Pacific will follow the lives of several Marines as they island hop their way across the South Pacific, battling the Japanese empire every step of the way for control of each foothold. Stephen Ambrose's son Hugh Ambrose served as project consultant, but the miniseries itself is based on two different memoirs; Helmet for my Pillow by Robert Leckie and With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge.
Check out the trailer for The Pacific below, and if you're not excited afterwards... well, then you might be some kind of damn commie.
So? What did you think? Do you think The Pacific's big brother Band of Brothers is too much to measure up to? I think it has its work cut out for it, for sure. But I'm anxious to see if it will cut the mustard. Hit the comment button below and sound off if you have something to say.
Kirk out!
