Boyd in 3D

'Boyd In 3D (2022)' follows a shy young man who gets the chance to try Vaught's latest invention: a topical cream that changes the wearer into whatever they imagine their perfect self to be. Think Instagram filters in real life and you're on the right lines. The piece is a critique on the way in which society - and social media, in particular - often seems to value aesthetics over personality. It's also a commentary on the way in which pretty people are sometimes elevated to celebrity status for no reason other than the fact that they're pretty. It touches upon the concept that perhaps celebrity isn't all it's cracked up to be. The affair has a lot on its mind in terms of theme and social commentary. To its credit, it succinctly conveys all this in an aesthetically pleasing and pacy package. A lot of it is told visually, too, which is always a bonus. Sadly, though, its ending undercuts most of its success. It's really reductive, opting to deliver a final sardonic shock instead of a satisfying or poignant conclusion (it also rips off an episode of 'Black Mirror (2011 - 2019)' that I won't mention by name for fear of spoiling it). Despite going out on a sour note, it's an entertaining effort overall. Its ending dampens its overall effect, but it doesn't drench it entirely. 6/10.

Beautiful very deep episode that does not focus much on fun but more on the plot and on the banal but valid morality that it wants to teach throughout its duration.

Moving away from the main show a bit for this latest episode of Diabolical, for a tale of the perils of social media, with a sting in the tale.

Boyd (Eliot Glazer) is disappointed in his life, especially compared to the lives people appear to be having on social media. Following a quick spell on a Vought face app, he's invited to join a trial of a new drug, one that will make him appear to others as his ideal form. Strong, handsome and confident, he finally approaches his next-door neighbour Cherry (Nasim Pedrad) whom he has had a crush on. All goes well, until she discovers and takes the drug herself, with an unexpected outcome.

Written by Ilana Grazer and her brother Eliot, who also plays the lead the story of this one was nicely done. With the story escalating and then resetting for a happy ending, before pulling the rug out from underneath the audience. (In a way that seems to have upset quite a number of the reviewers, but I felt was in keeping with the tone of "The Boys"). There are guest roles for Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon, as Vought scientists and for Colby Minifie, who reprises the role of Ashley from the main show, as the lead pair become celebrities.

The animation style is basic, but charming and is somewhat similar to their work on the 2020 feature "Wolfwalkers".

What it has to say about the effect of social media is, perhaps, already a little dated, given the speed that the internet moves at but this was a decent, if perhaps slight, addition to the series.

The writer realized he was writing for the boys and needed something gory happen. The art design for this episode is really good, though. Better than the rip-off rick and morty look episode 2 had.

A story of superficial love gone wrong is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo predictable. Neither of the millennial characters are even remotely likable, which fits in with this terrible century of crybabies.