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The scope of these specials is defiantly something to be amazed by. The first three shows are loosely connected, with the final show, Recap, linking them all. It's an interesting idea and allows for intricate call backs and helps create some jokes that wouldn't have been possible either.

Each special stands up on it's own (however Recap will be less impactful if you've not seen the previous) and within it, there are plenty of absurd observations and enactments. The only stipulation is that if you're a fan of James Acaster you may have heard quite a few of these segments on various panel shows. There's still a ton of stuff you won't have seen and lots of the stuff you would have heard is more confidently delivered here, but that is something to consider.

As an aside, a common topic with US vs UK comedy is that US comedy is just jokes where as UK comedy tries to also have a narrative, which leads to US comedy being much more joke and laugh oriented, but perhaps not as personal. UK comedy has more of an arc so feels more like a 'complete' piece of standup (rather than a series of funny 'bits') and this seems like the perfect example of this. It's all connected but only uses that to elevate the comedy. Well worth a watch.

I'll break this review down into three sections; Performance, Production, Plot.

Performance. Everyone is pretty much spot on. All the performances are reserved, which aids the intrigue of whether or not they've been infected and even when you're certain their performances always seem to leave you with a sense of doubt.

Production. This is the highlight of the movie. The sound design (both soundtrack and environmental) do a great job creating a sense of discomfort and foreboding. The costume and set design is beautiful and clinical, but also with great touches of vibrance.

Plot. By far the weakest area in the film and unfortunately what lets the film down. The idea is interesting and the way it's developed is interesting too, but plot points are often contrived or out of place and ultimately too little happens over too long a space of time to keep you fully engaged.

The film is a series of homoerotic, dreamlike, fantasies, each with a varying degree of explicitness (ranging from mild crotch bulges to full frontal nudity and climax), so do be prepared for that.

What elevates this from just the erotic fantasies of some dude is the style in which these men and their members are presented. The editing is dreamlike and flowing and the lighting is vibrant and rich (lots of reds and blues). The crowning achievement is the set and costume design. There are well designed and lavish sets (such as ancient Roman/Greek, seedy New York) and costumes (matadors, centurions, bikers) which really help suck you into the film.

The film moves along through these various fantasies, indulging in the characters on display and the tones ranges from realistic, fantastical to comedic which helps keep things interesting.

There is ultimately no story or characters, just a series of erotic events, so as long as you're prepared for that, you'll have an enjoyable time.I hope you like male a$$es and the colour red.