Over There
Watched Over There last night on FX. So far no one else has touched the Iraq War cinematically so how this first foray does will either encourage or discourage others.
I would have to give the show a B-. Of course, my liberal bias detector was turned on and it's sensitivity was cranked up to 10. The meter registered only about a 1 or 2.
The production values were good. In other words, the show looks really good. It looks like Iraq, complete with the great sunsets. But this isn't a show for the kids. Besides the graphic depictions of people having sex - not R rated but if you're watching it with your 13 yr old daughter you would feel uncomfortable. (I hope.) The language is pretty bad too. I expect that from any show featuring soldiers but I don't necessarily want my kids watching it.
I would've given the show a better grade but some of the plot is just a little contrived for my taste. For example, they figured out a way to feature woman soldiers and of course they are in a situation where it isn't practical to take them off the front line. Then one of the women gets a close call with one of the hadji's shooting at her at close range. You guessed it - he missed.
Then there's the guy who loves the Army and is nice to everyone as well as intelligent and sensitive. You just knew he was going to get whacked or get some horrific injury. (Note to TV Show producers: Just for once have the jerk that no one likes get the horrific injury.)
The show seemed to go out of it's way to shock people. There were a couple of shocking sights of carnage and an interesting one where a guy gets blown in half and his legs take an extra step or two. The desire to shock and the contrived plot undermined the show, but I still found it entertaining. Also, I have to admit, whether it's realistic or not, I still want to see some jingoistic American Patriotism. I want to see red-blooded Americans fighting for truth, justice and the American way.
I'll tune in next week and we'll see if it can rise above it's B- opening. It ain't Blackhawk Down but it'll do for now.
I would have to give the show a B-. Of course, my liberal bias detector was turned on and it's sensitivity was cranked up to 10. The meter registered only about a 1 or 2.
The production values were good. In other words, the show looks really good. It looks like Iraq, complete with the great sunsets. But this isn't a show for the kids. Besides the graphic depictions of people having sex - not R rated but if you're watching it with your 13 yr old daughter you would feel uncomfortable. (I hope.) The language is pretty bad too. I expect that from any show featuring soldiers but I don't necessarily want my kids watching it.
I would've given the show a better grade but some of the plot is just a little contrived for my taste. For example, they figured out a way to feature woman soldiers and of course they are in a situation where it isn't practical to take them off the front line. Then one of the women gets a close call with one of the hadji's shooting at her at close range. You guessed it - he missed.
Then there's the guy who loves the Army and is nice to everyone as well as intelligent and sensitive. You just knew he was going to get whacked or get some horrific injury. (Note to TV Show producers: Just for once have the jerk that no one likes get the horrific injury.)
The show seemed to go out of it's way to shock people. There were a couple of shocking sights of carnage and an interesting one where a guy gets blown in half and his legs take an extra step or two. The desire to shock and the contrived plot undermined the show, but I still found it entertaining. Also, I have to admit, whether it's realistic or not, I still want to see some jingoistic American Patriotism. I want to see red-blooded Americans fighting for truth, justice and the American way.
I'll tune in next week and we'll see if it can rise above it's B- opening. It ain't Blackhawk Down but it'll do for now.
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on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 10:10 AM.
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