The Pacific - My Favorite Mini Series

Post contributed by Alfredo Gaines

While the theater of war has been adapted into many different incarnations in film and television, and the exploits of the greatest generation more so than others, most depictions focus on the European campaign. They focus on the invasion of Normandy, the rounding up of Nazis, and the fiery speeches of one General George S. Patton. However, on the other side of the country there were equally incredible battles, fought in the Pacific against the assiduous forces of the Empire of Japan. The Pacific captures the verve, vigilance, and overwhelming resilience of the brave soldiers who helped protect America's naked backside.

Unlike Band of Brothers, where the action was intense and fierce, The Pacific focuses more on the development of characters, primarily through the narrative memoirs of privates Robert Leckie and Eugene Sledge. The best performance by far was Rami Malek's interpretation of Corporal Merriell "Snafu" Shelton, the wise cracking, mean, blithely painted soldier. Each of his lines was delivered with a signature drawl befitting of his look, his brooding eyes outlined in a dark mascara gloom that matched the atmosphere. Well acted, produced and inlaid with dramatic score, The Pacific is my favorite mini series because it eloquently captures the enervating and harsh realities of war. Produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, The Pacific aired on HBO, available for a monthly subscription on satellite tv for a decent price, in case you were wondering how much does satellite TV cost.