Produced and directed much in the tradition of Peaky Blinders (unsurprisingly, as Steven Knight is behind both), it lacks the punch, incisiveness and morbid wit of the (at least initial seasons of) the latter show. Casting is not great and acting is overdone and formulaic Production values are decent enough, but script and direction are unremarkable: perhaps they stick close to the book (which I've not read), but how it all comes across is like they try too hard for superficial marks of unconventionality, whimsicality and (overwhelmingly male) daring-do. Worse, in an unrealistic manner, the show gives hardly any consideration to the existentially challenging and gruelling on both body and mind condition of war, the constant threat of death or incapacitating injury, the loss of one's humanity, the lack of control of one's fate, the different nature of time. What one is left with in the end is, lots of speedy car chases, lots and lots of testosterone and adolescent banter, a bunch of recruits who have a priori easily superseded all of the questions, doubts and fears that the battle and the anxious interceding lulls throw at you ("roguishness" and "unconventionality" are used as superficial explanations to dispense with such matters) and a love story whose transformation from a casual one-night stander to a love affair hinges on very little in the characters' parts.
In short, if you're looking for a cartoon of a war episode, with lots of production value and trivializing male fun, this is spot on. It is entertaining, no doubt about it, once such caveats have been taken into account. And has lots of good music too in the score. Otherwise, it is easily forgotten and best overlooked.
In short, if you're looking for a cartoon of a war episode, with lots of production value and trivializing male fun, this is spot on. It is entertaining, no doubt about it, once such caveats have been taken into account. And has lots of good music too in the score. Otherwise, it is easily forgotten and best overlooked.