Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

The Boys: Seasons 1 & 2 Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 25, 2022

Sony has released seasons one and two of the critically acclaimed Amazon Superhero series 'The Boys' to Blu-ray. This six-disc set includes all eight season one episodes on discs 1-3 and all eight season two episodes on discs 4-6. The set includes excellent video and audio presentations and several bonus features spread across both seasons. Season three is set to air on June 3, 2022.

The freight train that is the Superhero genre continues to steamroll through the entertainment landscape with so much power that it seems to be both the unstoppable force and the immovable object. On other words: there's no immediate sense that a pause is imminent. If anything, the landscape is becoming ever more cluttered, and for anyone who isn't on the up-and-up (and away!) maybe ever cloudier. One of the latest ventures on the TV side is Amazon Prime's The Boys, a series that is actually fairly far removed from genre norms, if only because its goal is to expose the darker side thereof. A series of complex characters, unwaveringly dark themes, and a mirror of sorts for cultural saturation and incessant superhero fandom, The Boys strives to deconstruct the genre from the outside in rather than simply gawk once more at the polished veneer that has made billions in the market.

Official synopsis:

Season One: 'The Boys' is an irreverent take on what happens when superheroes -- as popular as celebrities, as influential as politicians and as revered as Gods -- abuse their superpowers rather than use them for good. It's the powerless against the superpowerful as The Boys embark on a heroic quest to expose the truth about 'The Seven' and their formidable Vought backing.

Season Two: In a more intense Season 2 of 'The Boys,' Butcher, Hughie and the team reel from their losses in Season 1. On the run from the law, they struggle to fight back against the Superheroes. Meanwhile, Vought, the hero management company, cashes in on the panic over supervillains; and a new hero, Stormfront, shakes up the company and challenges an already unstable Homelander.

The Boys is a show that thrives on exploring its themes in shades of gray. From the early moments forward it is clear that the show aims to subvert traditional genre expectations by exploring the dark side beyond the flashy facades and feats of superhuman strength. Going dark and gruff is not new, but it is the way that The Boys explores the celebrity side of the superhero game and exposes the depravity behind the scenes and the very real dangers that might circumvent the traditional stand for "truth, justice, and the American way." The show sets up its conflict between these outwardly laudable but inwardly depraved characters when one of them, "A-Train" -- he is basically The Flash (all of these heroes are plainly based on familiar Marvel and DC heroes)-- kills a young woman and plants the seed for revenge in his new archnemesis, an otherwise mild-mannered everyman named Hughie (Jack Quaid) who joins forces with Billy Butcher and "The Boys" in the battle against not superhero-dom itself but rather the evil behind the mask. It's a fascinating show that does push the envelope for sex, violence, and language, so it's not for the Saturday matinee Captain America crowd, but more discerning viewers will find it a compelling foray into the darker side of the heroes of light.

The following episodes comprise season one. Summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray packaging.

Disc One:

• The Name of the Game: When a Supe kills the love of his life, A/V salesman Hughie Campbell teams up with Billy Butcher, a vigilante hell-bent on punishing corrupt supes -- and Hughie’s life will never be the same again.
• Cherry: The Boys get themselves a Superhero, Starlight gets payback, Homelander gets naughty, and a Senator gets naughtier.
• Get Some: It’s the race of the century. A-Train versus Shockwave, vying for the title of World’s Fastest Man. Meanwhile, the Boys are reunited and it feels so good.

Disc Two:

• The Female of the Species: On a very special episode of The Boys…an hour of guts, gutterballs, airplane hijackings, madness, ghosts, and one very intriguing Female. Oh, and lots of heart -- both in the sentimental sense, and in the gory literal sense.
• Good for the Soul: The Boys head to the “Believe” Expo to follow a promising lead in their ongoing war against the Supes. There might -- MIGHT -- be a homicidal infant, but you'll have to see for yourself.
• The Innocents: SUPER IN AMERICA (2019). Vought Studios. Genre: Reality. Starring: Homelander, Queen Maeve, Black Noir, The Deep, A-Train, Starlight, Tara Reid, Billy Zane.

Disc Three:

• The Self-Preservation Society: Never trust a washed-up supe -- the Boys learn this lesson the hard way. Meanwhile, Homelander digs into his past, Starlight discovers that love hurts, and if you’re ever in Sandusky, Ohio and a girl asks if she can touch your gills, say NO.
• You Found Me: Season Finale Time! Questions answered! Secrets revealed! Conflicts… conflicted! Characters exploded! And so much more!

The following episodes comprise season two. Summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray packaging.

Disc One:

• The Big Ride: Season 2! New and improved! Now with 50% more explosive decapitations, terrorists, S&M hookers, cults, and a new pine fresh scent! But wait, there’s more! 2X MORE blood, guts and gore than the other leading brands! This exclusive offer is available only on Amazon Prime Video! Don’t delay! Order now!
• Proper Preparation and Planning: The Boys get themselves a Super Terrorist, Starlight gets evidence against Vought, The Deep gets in touch with his feelings, and Homelander gets himself a family (sort of). All that, and a hard-hitting exposé on why Super Suits don’t have pockets.
• Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men: Attention: If you or a loved one were exposed to Compound V, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Vought has given the drug to multiple victims, without their knowledge or consent. If you believe that you or a loved one were administered Compound V, call the law firm of Bremmer & Bremmer at 1-888-177-2774 for a free legal consultation. Know your rights!

Disc Two:

• Nothing Like It in the World: Road trip! The Boys head to North Carolina to follow a lead on a mysterious Supe named Liberty. And did you know a person’s choice of candy bars might tell you if they’re a serial killer? Watch and learn the warning signs! This episode could save your life!
• We Gotta Go Now: Vought Studios is pleased to announce that filming has begun on #DawnOfTheSeven. 12 years of VCU movies have led to this. If you like movies about one hero, you’ll love a movie about seven heroes. Meet Our newest member Stormfront -- and see how the legend began! In theaters Summer 2021!
• The Bloody Doors Off: The Sage Grove Center is dedicated to caring for those struggling with mental illness. Their compassionate doctors and counselors provide personalized services to help patients live their best lives. A proud subsidiary of Vought International.

Disc Three:

• Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker: Congresswoman Victoria Neuman’s sham Congressional Hearing against Vought takes place in 3 DAYS. Are we going to let her criminalize Superheroes when we need them most? We have to stand up against such blatant partisan politics. Please join fellow Patriotic Americans to tell Neuman and her Kangaroo Court Cronies that they won’t win, “Not On Our Watch.”
• What I Know: ***SUPER VILLAIN ALERT*** A SUPER VILLAIN ALERT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA. PLEASE BE VIGILANT AND REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS PERSONS OR ACTIVITY. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE SEEN A SUPER VILLAIN, DO NOT APPROACH OR ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND THEM. REPORT THEM IMMEDIATELY.

The Boys: Seasons 1 & 2 Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This one looks pretty much perfect. The 1080p resolution squeezes out every last bit of detail possible, offering one of the most respectable and super-clear pictures on the market today. Facial definition is off-the-charts excellent for this format. Skin intricacies are easily visible, and so too are clothing and environmental details that just leap off the screen with superior clarity and definition. Colors are bountifully bold and accurate, notably on superhero costumes but indeed throughout the series, offering intense output and incredible stability. There are some desaturated scenes for effect but general color impact is terrific. Skin tones are spot-on, blacks are deep, and whites are crisp. Noise is next to nonexistent and there are no encode flaws to note. Fans are going to be delighted with this masterwork of a transfer from Sony.

The Boys: Seasons 1 & 2 Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sony brings seasons one and two of The Boys to Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation is as stout and able bodied as fans would expect of a big budget superhero TV show. Dynamics are excellent, stage presence and channel fluidity are terrific, and the track yields precise placement at all times for all elements. Musical clarity is first-rate. Score plays with prominent front-end presence and detail while also exploring the rear channels with a healthy balance. Subwoofer output is not prodigious, but it is prominent enough to satisfy every bit of its sonic needs. Action scenes are alive with impressive depth, sound movement, and expert placement, all wrapped up in first-rate clarity that allows the listener to not only be involved in the action but engaged in its finest details. Atmospheric are nicely filling and positioned. Dialogue is clear and center focused for the duration.

The Boys: Seasons 1 & 2 Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This six-disc Blu-ray release of The Boys includes supplements on discs three and six, or the final discs for seasons one and two. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

Disc Three:

• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 15:50 total runtime): Included are Glove Box, Butcher, He's Almost As Fast, Kept the Pen, What Do You Want?, I Prefer Him This Way, A Visit, Your Idea, What She Wanted to Hear, Get in the Van, Knock Knock, Non-Answer Answer, Don't Worry, You'd Hate It, Coming In?, and We Need You!.
• Blooper Reel -- Season One (1080p, 4:11): humorous moments from the shoot.

Disc Six:

• Deleted & Extended Scenes (1080p, 19:24 total runtime): Included are She's Special, What Are You Watching?, Breaking News, Are You Really Surprised?, Help, Water, Be Your Own Hero, I Got Responsibilities, Open the Door, It's All Yours, Just a TV Show, You Gave Us a Scare, Pride Bar, and I Need to See You.
• Butcher: A Short Film (1080p, 5:09): A short story that fills in some necessary gaps between the end of season one and the start of season two.
• Blooper Reel -- Season Two (1080p, 3:18): humorous moments from the shoot.

The Boys: Seasons 1 & 2 Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Boys takes a turn to the gratuitous side of the Superhero genre, and it does so with rich narrative layers and compellingly constructed characters. The show is built on adult themes and situations, a far cry from the more comfortable Disney MCU. Sony's six-disc set looks and sounds great. A few extras are included. Recommended.