I WAS a huge fan of the first season of The Boys.
Never have so-called superheroes been so flawed – and downright nasty – and given the tantalising cliffhanger of its opening run, I couldn’t wait for the follow-up.
Maybe it’s because the novelty isn’t quite the same because though still excellent, this second season falls a little short of its exceptional predecessor.
The titular band of superhero-hating misfits are now on the run from the law while their leader Butcher (Karl Urban) has some serious personal issues to deal with.
The Boys defies its TV trappings with special effects, set pieces and locations that would look right at home on the big screen.
A particular insane highlight is the worst fictional thing to happen to a whale since Free Willy 3: The Rescue.
As before, the cast are in fine form, led by Urban’s cursing firebrand and Antony Starr’s Superman-gone-postal Homelander.
Aya Cash joins the super-powered ranks as Stormfront and without giving too much away, leans on just about every one of your emotions during an expansive character arc.
Hughie (Jack Quaid) and Starlight’s (Erin Moriarty) would-be romance remains sweeter than a sugar donut and you can’t help but root for them amid the madness they find themselves trapped in.
Although they’re given a run for their money in the will-they, wont-they, oh please let them be relationship stakes by Tomer Capon (Frenchie) and Karen Fukuhara (Kimiko).
Giancarlo Esposito (Stan) oozes class and calm menace and Dominique McElligott (Queen Maeve) is a heroine for the modern age.
The twists come thick and fast but melodrama plays more of a part in proceedings and some of the family drama slows things down somewhat.
●What are your thoughts on The Boys Season 2? How does it compare to the first season?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV recommendations – to our readers.
Sandra H. Brown was a fan of Netflix’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, saying: “There are highs and lows in the film. It shows how the human rights movement was created by events which unfolded, but leaves the sentiment that America hasn’t moved on.”
●The Boys Season 2 is screening now on Amazon Prime Video.
