There is a near-perfect symmetry between the sensibility of Wright's book and the work of Simon and Burns. Anyone who has seen even one hour of The Wire or HBO's The Corner knows that there is going to be no wholesale stereotyping.
While the miniseries generally hews closely to the book, one of the few examples of literary license taken involves the exaggerated comic depiction of the highest ranking sergeant in the battalion who comes off more like an over-the-top character in the 1960s TV sitcom Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. than a credible character in today's military. But, by the standards of most TV docudramas, the writers have been steadfast in staying true to Wright's account.
Americans have been relentlessly tuning out accounts of the Iraq war in movies, TV series, books and network news. It would be nice to think Generation Kill will change that. But, in the five hours made available, at least, there is not enough emotional power, dramatic thunder or punishing truth in this miniseries to turn that cultural tide.
