‘MARINES’ (2025) Netflix Series Review - Training Hard

Interested in knowing more about the lives of those who serve in the elite Marine Corps? Well, this is your documentary to watch. So, as well know, the lives of those who serve in the Marines isn't easy at all. And this documentary shows you that. With the help of interviews and clips of sergeants and officers, we are shown a glimpse into the lives of the snipers and the gunners. But being in one of the toughest corps isn’t an easy job. A report indicates that most Marines die or get injured more during training than on the battlefield. While this is an alarming piece of information, it also ensures that some of the strongest men and women emerge towards the end. Slowly, we transition towards knowing the reasons why these people join the Marines. For some, it’s a matter of generational pride. Their father and grandfather fought in the war. Naturally, for them, joining the military is an obvious choice, which they proudly do. Talking about families, as much of a matter of pride it is to see their children don the uniform and, most importantly, serve in the Marine Corps, they do fear for the worst. As parents, they feel what the parents of those who lost their children undergo. But even with all that, neither the children nor the parents have any regrets about joining and serving the nation with pride. A look into the training shows that these people are battle-ready for literally everything and anything life throws at them. For example, they are released into the wild sea, then again into the jungles and desert, just so that they know how to navigate any terrain on the earth. Are they scared of anything? Hell no!

So while there are many good things the makers bring to us, such as the training and lives of the Marines, the way it has been brought to us does not satisfy the viewers. There is no narration going on in the background to tells us what is going on. Yes, the interviews by the Marines are helpful, but that's just them telling about themselves, why they joined, etc. If the docuseries had more of what exactly is happening in the training, it would have been more interesting and fun to watch. At one point, it feels as if we are inside the training camp with people doing their business. Not sure if that is what the makers wished for us to see, but nonetheless. Definitely, this docuseries had a lot of scope to become one of the finest ones to ever be made on the Marines.

But if you are someone who watches and learns more about them, this is your perfect watch. It will teach you many things about them and also make you have huge respect for them. That’s a major plus point of the docuseries. However, if you aren’t someone who enjoys watching the military, then you might not be as intrigued as one can be. Whatever the case may be, there is no harm in watching it, keeping aside some of the minuses that are there.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times