The Boys

Amazon wasn’t afraid to take a risk with an interesting story based on a comic book, it brought it to the screen, and the result is truly impressive. Every step of the way, you can feel the substantial budget that was pumped into the series—visually and audibly, it’s nearly on a film level. What I have to highlight is the handling of the characters. There are no flat figures reciting their lines—far from it. Each character’s development received significant screen time, and by the end, you’ll find yourself dividing them into two categories: those you hate and those you’ve grown fond of. Sometimes, there’s even a third option, which is to feel absolutely indifferent toward a character. If you end up with this third option during the viewing, then something is wrong with the film. The basic premise of the superhero "Seven" and the company that owns them and exploits them for its own gain is presented in a compelling way. The characters in this seven-member superhero team are diverse, yet, except for one, each character will repulse you with their behavior (Evil Superman, aka Homelander, clearly stands out here; Antony Starr’s mesmerizing and demonic portrayal was truly surprising). As for the "good" characters on the other side of the barricade, Karl Urban as Billy Butcher clearly leads the pack with his strong accent. The story is also powerful at many moments (the airplane passengers scene, the cliffhanger of the final episode). The visual style and camera composition of the shots are a treat. It's very different from Marvel—full of vulgarities, nudity, and frequent gore scenes—but it has a far more crushing emotional impact on the viewer and often leads to reflection rather than just escapism. It reminded me a lot of Watchmen. I’m already looking forward to the second season, and I’m giving it 90%. (03.08.2019)

The second season played it quite safe, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good. Reuniting with old favorites after a year was a real treat; I’ve become incredibly fond of this crew, not just Billy Butcher and his gang but also the members of The Seven, especially the unbeatable Homelander. The plot didn’t captivate me as much as the first season did, which thrived on its element of surprise, emerging out of nowhere and quickly winning many fans over. Instead, I enjoyed the individual storylines in the second season, such as the one with Lamplighter (ironically played by the actor who portrayed Iceman in the X-Men universe) or the excellent new character Stormfront. In her best scenes, she came close to the brilliance of the series icon, the "You guys are the real heroes!" character :D. The action was again unparalleled, like the opening scene with Black Noir accompanied by a top-notch musical score—pure perfection. The soundtrack was genius, the performances were once again of the highest quality, and the finale was luxurious with an unexpected twist that will likely shake things up significantly in the third season. It’s just a small disappointment that the story didn’t try to make any revolutionary moves and stuck to the well-established and warmly received standard of the first season. For me, it’s 85%. (12.10.2020)

I really wanted to give it five stars, but it was missing just a little something. But let's start with the positives.... It seems to me that the creators want to shock the audience more and more with each new season. In the third season, we again get absolutely wild, but legendary scenes (shoutout to the whole of episode number 6 with the subtitle Herogasm). The acting is again top-notch; Butcher has raised the bar even higher because the whole plot revolving around the "V" hooked me like hardly anything else. Homelander is once again unbeatable; that guy was truly born for this role! Otherwise, with the arrival of Soldier Boy, it felt like the series was refreshed with new energy; Jensen Ackles nailed it like a top professional! On the action front, the series once again went off the rails, with top-notch gore and pleasantly over-the-top brutality :D So why not a full score? Honestly, I was expecting a bolder ride with the killing off of main characters (everything was pointing in that direction). It seemed to me that Kripke and Goldberg just opened the figurative gate to the upcoming fourth season. What a pity. Even so, it's a show that leaves recent Marvel productions in the dust. 8.5/10 (15.07.2022)

The two-year wait is over. The gang has landed on our screens with Season 4, now confirmed as the penultimate one. Overall, I’m satisfied, though there are a few shortcomings. First, let’s look at the positives. The characters have largely stayed the same, which I appreciate (yes, the absence of Soldier Boy was occasionally felt, but we’ll see what role he gets in Season 5). Homelander once again takes center stage (I’ve mentioned it several times... but Antony Starr is demonic, to say the least!). Butcher also surprised me with his development. His speeches to himself were entertaining... And that final massacre from him set the stage for the continuation. I’m really on edge about what they have planned for his character in the future... The action was solid again, and the juicy gore made a return. So, what would I criticize? To be honest, the main storyline didn’t progress much. It really felt like the creators were just setting the stage for a grand finale... which is a bit disappointing... But it’s still a quality show, without a doubt... I give it an 8/10. P.S. And now the long wait :( (21.07.2024)