(Courtesy of @TheBoysTV)

Ahead of its Amazon Prime Video premiere, The Boys pilot, starring Karl Urban and Elisabeth Shue, delivers a massive jolt of humor and must-see moments of eye-popping action. Based on the Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s cult comic book from Dynamite Entertainment, executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg take aim at celebrity culture and superficiality with their special band of anti-heroes.

What happens when superheroes, who are as popular as celebrities, become influential as politicians and as revered as Gods? How do you stop them when they abuse their superpowers rather than use them for good?

Here are 5 reasons why we’re excited for The Boys:

5) Erin Moriarty!

In the blink of an eye, Erin Moriarty radiates so much naiveness, sympathy, and sadness in Starlight’s introduction. Annie (Erin Moriarty)’s arc is undeniably relevant and ever-so timely because her themes deal with objectification and sexual harassment. Just watching Moriarty in the role, you don’t feel sorry of her; you want her to get stronger.

4) Karl Urban!

Making an eye-catching first impression as Billy Butcher, Karl Urban stands out with his rugged beard and Hawaiian shirt. Urban’s tough bravado works so well opposite Jack Quaid, who plays the timid and comedic Hughie. It’s such a stylish spectacle when the Butcher (Urban) and Hughie (Quaid) take a stroll into the superhero underbelly.

3) Elisabeth Shue!

Elisabeth Shue is simply amazing to watch as Madelyn Stillwell. This is the part where the pilot really takes a cynical view towards the real world with jabbing satire. Just even the name of Antony Starr’s superhero name, Homelander, holds major significance. Madelyn Stillwell (Shue) and her team handle the PR and advertising behind the superhero team, The Seven, while maintaining the cover-up of certain scandals.

2) The Sleek Visuals!

Showrunner Eric Kripke, the creator of Supernatural, elevates the source material, while staying faithful to the more outlandish moments from the comic. Taking Kripke’s script, director Dan Trachtenberg brings in his own clever visual ideas during the action sequences, especially during the climax. As the first episode takes its time with world-building, the ensemble cast fills out the rest as they present their characters charismatically and relatable.

1) Wildly Irreverent!

The Boys make no apologies while dishing out its irreverent brand of over-the-top level of sex and violence. Right on target with its satirization of superhero culture, The Boys establishes enough for viewers to get them geared up for the next episode.

[Writer’s Note: This is an advanced spoiler-free review of The Boys out of the Tribeca Film Festival and from a special screening hosted by Comic Book Club.]

The Boys premieres on Amazon Prime July 26th, 2019.

By Jorge Solis

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