"The Sentinels," a French production, presents a cyberpunk take on WWI within an alternate reality, adapted from a comic book I wasn’t familiar with—and now regret not being. The concept of a French special forces team composed of enhanced soldiers reliant on a serum that produces unpredictable effects is appealing. The visual elements—the sets, costumes, and overall atmosphere depicting gritty, war-ravaged cities and battlefields—are very well executed. The cinematography also stands out, employing slow-motion sequences interspersed with dynamic action to enhance the viewing experience. I found nothing wrong with the performances or how the characters were portrayed; each felt believable, complete with their own reasons for acting as they do, what they hoped for, and their flaws. However, the writing held it back from being truly great. The series should have been a high-energy action show, but it seemed to want to be a drama as well. This led to uneven pacing; the narrative frequently pauses for drawn-out personal stories that ultimately detract from the overall experience. There were moments when the plot felt illogical—for instance, the decision to recruit a slender Black woman facing execution for murder into the military. Surely there were other criminals available who possessed athleticism and weren't already convicted of serious crimes? (Was this an attempt at fulfilling diversity quotas?). Ultimately, it has a strong foundation and potential, but falls short because it doesn’t fully commit to the rapid-fire action that should define it. It’s watchable enough, though occasionally illogical and frustratingly slow.

Source on TMDB