Even though Bradley had been warning himself not to compare "The Pacific" with "Band of Brothers", even though the production teams were similar, these were two completely different works. Yet, when the series started airing, that surging feeling of blood and excitement couldn't help but draw parallels to the acclaimed and classic masterpiece of the past.
"Wow! Wow!" When the real veterans' interview footage appeared on the big screen again, cheers and screams erupted in the screening hall. Similar to "Band of Brothers", "The Pacific" also began each episode with interviews of the real veterans, using this to transport the audience back to that era.
The similar texture of the visuals and the familiar framework ignited jubilant emotions within the audience. The theater was filled with palpable anticipation for "The Pacific", and the long-lost excitement and joy couldn't be concealed, causing Bradley to break into a smile. Symbolically, he even raised his fist.
However, Bradley quickly realized the differences between the two works. These were two entirely distinct creations.
The opening episode of "Band of Brothers" was set in the boot camp, with over twenty characters intertwined, causing difficulties for those with prosopagnosia. Yet, those nameless characters quickly gained depth through rigorous training. The pervading tension in the air allowed the audience to deeply sense the urgency of war. It could be said that the opening ensemble showcased a profound level of arrangement and control, swiftly elevating the sense of anticipation.
On the other hand, "The Pacific" chose to begin with domestic life, depicting the immediate societal reaction to the war following the Pearl Harbor attack. This undercurrent of restlessness and unease beneath the facade of prosperity and celebration slowly pervaded.
The series started by portraying an ordinary day before Robert Leckie and John Basilone enlisted, depicting their lives with their families. Seemingly insignificant anecdotes from daily life weren't overtly depicted, yet the intricate details subtly revealed people's response to the war—confident and resolute, marching ahead with heads held high. Their unease about the war was hidden beneath the veil of confidence in victory. Even the festive atmosphere had an underlying restlessness.
Without the arduousness of "Band of Brothers" boot camp, "The Pacific" felt even more realistic, seamlessly linking war and reality. This introduced a touch of realism to the series, awakening a resonance within the audience.
Bradley found this somewhat surprising. Such a beginning was undoubtedly bold, yet it was also wise. As a journalist, he wasn't a professional critic, nor was he an average viewer. He knew such a choice might diminish the audience's expectations and possibly result in negative reviews. However, this bold shift was beneficial for "The Pacific". It showcased Steven Spielberg's determination to create a unique series, leaving Bradley with a faint sense of anticipation for the subsequent story.
"Band of Brothers" didn't have an earth-shattering or captivating start, yet amidst the simplicity, authenticity was evident. It began to lay the foundation for the camaraderie between soldiers while starkly contrasting the arduousness of boot camp with the horrors of the battlefield, setting a solid groundwork for the series' forthcoming brilliance.
The opening of "The Pacific" seemed ordinary and mundane. It provided ample time for character development, presenting them fully and distinctly to the audience. The characters' images and names matched perfectly, establishing a strong connection between the audience and the characters. This left Bradley curious—what was the purpose behind this approach?
Contrasting the tranquility of family life with the cruelty and ruthlessness of war, or perhaps outlining the agony and hardships of the three characters on the battlefield through familial bonds? Or is there another idea?
Amid his contemplation, Bradley's eyes suddenly lit up. Enter Renly.
Like Eugene Sledge and the other two main characters, Renly made his entrance with a focus on family life. As a doctor, his father delivered the verdict: due to a heart murmur, Eugene couldn't pass the soldier's test and was unfit for military service. Meanwhile, Eugene's brother had already donned his military uniform, preparing to step onto the battlefield. Faced with the presence of his father and brother, Eugene left home, a mixture of disappointment and anger, to bid farewell to his friend Sid who was enlisting tomorrow.
Bradley's eyes slightly brightened. Renly's performance did indeed offer a slightly different taste, making this the first highlight in the opening twenty minutes.
Exhaling a long breath, Kyle Smith, a senior professional film critic from The Wall Street Journal, shook his head. He expelled the pent-up breath from his chest, his thoughts a bit jumbled and heavy. The first episode had concluded, nearly an hour's duration. He needed to sort out his thoughts, organize his sense of anticipation and excitement, and then offer an objective judgment of the series.
From a structural perspective, "The Pacific" had abandoned the cinematic approach of "Band of Brothers", opting for a format more akin to a mini-series.
"Band of Brothers" was essentially one story per episode, interconnected yet independent. This cinematic approach gave the series a film-like quality—compact, focused, and replete with climaxes. However, the first episode of "The Pacific" clearly indicated a structure built upon layer-by-layer groundwork and progression. Foreshadowing planted today might not come to fruition until several episodes later.
In the first third of the opening episode, the three main characters each had their shining moments. However, as the episode progressed, Robert Leckie emerged as the guiding figure of the main plot, while the other two characters faded into obscurity.
The downside of this approach lay in losing the distinctive cinematic quality of "Band of Brothers". Yet, the advantage lay in gradually layering the ideological core of the entire series. If it eventually ignited and ascended, the depth, height, and richness of the series would surpass the impact brought by "Band of Brothers".
This maintained the sense of anticipation for "The Pacific". After all, today's broadcast was only the first episode.
In terms of visual quality and special effects, the two hundred and thirty million-dollar investment in "The Pacific" undeniably paid off. The uniqueness, hardship, and intensity of island warfare were showcased. The grandeur and impact of the battle scenes were astonishing. More importantly, the latter part of the first episode raised questions about human nature.
When the American troops successfully ambushed and annihilated the attacking Japanese forces, leaving only one Japanese soldier stubbornly resisting on the other side of the river, the soldiers began using this Japanese soldier as a target. They engaged in a game of cat-and-mouse, manipulating lives at their fingertips. This deeply shook Robert and stood in stark contrast to the opening depiction of everyday life. The central theme of "The Pacific" began to emerge.
However, it was regrettable that the first episode played it a bit safe. The overall script structure and plot direction lacked novelty, and the narrative felt somewhat fragmented. Certain points were overly emphasized, while others fell somewhat short.
As a mini-series, the first episode of "The Pacific" was enough to earn an eighty out of a hundred in Kyle's estimation. In his view, the first episode of "Band of Brothers" deserved an eighty-five, and it was discernible that the overall standards of the two series were slightly varied. However, Kyle didn't exhibit any sense of regret, for the first episode had brought an unexpected surprise!
Renly Hall.
Kyle had to admit that this newcomer actor making his screen debut had displayed unimaginable acting charisma. Although Renly's portrayal of Eugene only lasted for less than three minutes, a complex web of emotions erupted with powerful impact through his restrained performance.
The most striking aspect was undoubtedly the scene where Eugene stood at the hall's entrance, watching his father and brother. It was a mere three-second pause, yet one could distinctly feel the cruelty and agony settled on his frail shoulders under the sunlight. The shadows cast on his profile revealed subtle muscle shifts, effectively showcasing the inner struggles, contradictions, restraint, docility, and sincerity.
He hadn't even shown his full face, let alone his eyes. His bodily expressions flowed naturally, and as he appeared on screen, the audience's attention involuntarily converged on him.
A fleeting glance, yet it left behind an infinite resonance, rendering it unforgettable.
Kyle couldn't help but become curious about this actor, Renly. He wondered about the heights his acting talent could reach, whether this was just a flash in the pan or if it would extend to all his subsequent performances, and what story he would endow Eugene's character with. After all, this was just three minutes' content in the first episode—stunning, yet not conclusive.
However, undeniable was the fact that Renly's initial appearance as an actor left a profound impression.
Recalling the praise and admiration from Tom and Steven at the premiere, Kyle had initially believed it to be just a part of promotional tactics. Compared to the other two main actors, Renly was younger, fresher, and more handsome. He held greater potential in terms of promotional and commercial value. The crew's praise might just be a part of their promotional strategy. But now, Kyle felt that things might go beyond that. Perhaps, this obscure newcomer could truly be a surprise.
If we were to set aside Renly's contribution, the first episode's score would probably be around seventy-five. However, due to Renly's shining performance, Kyle was now filled with anticipation.
Moreover, this was only the first episode of "The Pacific", primarily focused on setting the stage and establishing the narrative. The real essence lay in the upcoming nine episodes.
If the overwhelmingly positive reception of "Band of Brothers" prior to tonight's premiere had left some doubts about "The Pacific", Kyle believed that after the premiere's conclusion, at the very least, the first episode had successfully fulfilled its mission and maintained the audience's anticipation.
Kyle was getting a bit impatient. On one hand, he looked forward to the trajectory of its quality, whether it could match the standards set by "Band of Brothers". On the other hand, he anticipated… Kyle hesitated to admit it, but he truly was anticipating the performance of this newcomer.
He hadn't even turned twenty-one yet this year? Truly astonishing!