'Human Discoveries' review: Zac Efron, Anna Kendrick starrer FB Watch series is thought-provoking and hilarious
Ever wondered how the fire was invented, how the human decided monogamy was a thing, and when food started getting cooked? Well, 'Human Discoveries' is going to answer all your queries, and add a humorous twist to it, while at it.
The Facebook Watch series starring Zac Efron and Anna Kendrick in the starring roles of Gary and Jane narrates the evolution – so to speak – of humankind after the discovery of fire. A whole new world awaits the prehistoric tribe after the fire is invented and they realize that its potential is infinite. While some choose to see this as an opportunity to be more productive, others see it as the opportunity to find different ways to enjoy it.
More or less, the series works as a social commentary on the current times, thinly veiled through the prehistoric lens. Created by childhood friends Chris Bruno and David Howard Lee, ‘Human Discoveries’ opens the floor for discussions about gender inequality, gender roles, weapon (gun) violence, monogamy, and the psychology of wanting things just because you can’t have them.
What makes this series impressive is the use of humor to drive these points home. The reverential jokes make it easier for the showrunners to pose a question and not necessarily always answer them, without actually leaving us with incomplete plotlines. In fact, Gary and Jane are innovators and free thinkers, possibly amongst the first of their kind, allows the conversation to have open endings and for the dialogue to be picked up when there is anything more to add.
Despite the existence of stereotypical, brawns, beauty and brains within the camp, it is also impressive that these characters break out of the boxes you would expect to contain them. 'Human Discoveries' has succeeded in being a great storytelling device, and beyond that picking, the right kind of stories tell, stories that are the perfect mix of thought-provoking and hilarious. Seeing as the team that made 'Human Discoveries' is also behind Netflix's 'Bojack Horseman' definitely gave us high hopes.
The fact that the visuals do not come across as all that fancy work to the show's advantage, because the center stage still belongs to the story - not to the animation or the VFX for that matter. It is also reflective of the fact that life was simpler - survive to live another day. Following a group of friends on a journey of finding more meaning to life than just surviving, however, is what drives the story forward.
If you are looking for a show to have a good time and make you feel good, 'Human Discoveries' is the way to go.