The Boys, based on a graphic novel, is a satirical take about a group of ordinary people trying to take down a group of corrupt, selfish, perverted superheroes (called The Seven) and Vought, the company behind these supers. The core superheroes are (‘less black-and-white’) versions of DC’s Justice League members like Homelander (Superman), Queen Maeve (Wonder Woman), The Deep (Aquaman), A-train (Flash), and Black Noir (Batman-ish). The newest Amazon Prime series is an R-rated series, filled with graphic violence, nudity, etc.
The show has come at a very interesting time. In a pop-culture that is defined with the superhero films and TV shows, The Boys is a deconstruction of the superhero genre, albeit with a morally ambiguous and a cynical touch. The show explores the corporatization and monetization of superheroes (movies, TV, merchandise, box office), something we especially see in our own world today. In addition, the use of advertising and marketing to maintain a public image and potentially cover up some major gaffes are explored in detail.
Positives
One of the show’s strengths is in its casting and performances. Karl Urban (Dredd, Thor: Ragnarok) is absolutely fantastic as Billy Butcher, a foul-mouthed, CIA-esque man with a mysterious past, who hates the superheroes, especially Homelander. Urban brings his signature charm to the role but is clearly not afraid to get his hands dirty. Speaking of Homelander, played brilliantly by Anthony Starr, the character is exactly the kind of Superman that Bruce Wayne feared in Batman v Superman. He’s more concerned with his public image than saving lives and Starr is able to so quickly switch from being a boy-scout to downright terrifying when he’s on and off-camera. Unlike his DC counterpart’s known weakness with kryptonite, Homelander’s biggest ‘weakness’ is his relationship, oftentimes intimate, with his boss and mother-like-figure in Stillwell (Elisabeth Shue). She’s the company VP and is willing to use any means to have her way.
The ‘heart’ of this series is the characters and the relationship between Hughie (Jack Quaid) and Annie (Erin Moriarty), also known as Starlight and one of the Seven members. Right off the bat, Hughie loses someone very close to him, thanks to A-train’s recklessness, and Hughie decides to team-up with Billy and his cohort to enact revenge against the supers. However, what keeps him from becoming like Billy is his burgeoning romance with Annie. Speaking of, Annie grew up wanting to be one of The Seven and saving lives but soon realizes that the public image is more important for them than actual super-heroing. She’s also sexually assaulted in the first episode and threatened numerous times. By the end of the season, she truly finds herself and it’s dam empowering.
Hughie and Annie in The Boys, Amazon Prime
What I especially love about the show is that no one is purely good or bad, maybe except Starlight (who’s genuinely interested in saving lives). Every character has done something terrible, sometimes with the best intentions, which makes them more multi-dimensional characters. The Boys also has its comedic moments, albeit a little macabre for some, and excels at forming the bond between the Boys themselves. This hilarious scene below is definitely very reminiscent of Mr. Incredible using Jack-Jack’s laser eyes.
Negatives
Certain storylines, especially the one with The Deep, are simply not that interesting compared to the other ones and just ended up feeling like a drag. Besides, The Deep is the one that sexually assaults Starlight right after they meet, which makes it hard for the viewers to connect with him.
Characters like Queen Maeve and Black Noir end up getting very little screen-time this season, which is quite unfortunate considering they’re more interesting than some of their other team-mates.
Rating – Must-Watch
In a world inundated with superhero-related content (and I love them, don’t get me wrong), The Boys is a fresh change of pace in the genre and is filled with hilarious, provocative moments. I loved the first season of the show and am excited for the second outing!
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