Created by Adam Reed
Even in the 200 + channel universe that couch dwellers in the city of Toronto are privileged to, there are some shows that we just can’t get as regularly scheduled programming during the standard television day. Thankfully for us with DVD, Blu-Ray and On Demand services like iTunes available at the touch of a button we can track down and watch some of the finer comedies and dramas that don’t get picked up north of the border. Out recently on Blu-Ray from our friends at 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is the first season of an animated comedy that has connections to creators of the Adult Swim series on the Cartoon Network in the US and to the iconic but short-lived Fox show ‘Arrested Development’. It’s time for “Archer-Season 1”.
“Archer” introduces us to suave secret agent Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) who is the world’s most dangerous spy, but political intrigue and global crises are nothing compared to the sexual tension and human resources crisis at the intelligence agency where he works. Archer must deal with his overbearing, oversexed mother (Jessica Arthur); who also happens to be his boss as well as his femme fatale ex-girlfriend who is seemingly sleeping with everyone except for him. Embezzlement, dead hookers, hangovers and demented double crossings are all in a day’s work in this raunchy spy comedy where the employees of the international spy agency ISIS work just as hard at saving the world as they do with undermining, confusing, betraying and royally screwing with their co-workers.
This intelligent and raunchy spy spoof from creator Adam Reed who was also responsible for such animated shows like Sealab 2021 & Frisky Dingo is unlike anything else with its risqué raunch and quality word play that revels in how smart it actually is. Jet setting across the world as we follow their ridiculous adventures is quite simply a hoot. The level of satire is at a near perfect balance with the depth and sense from the characters, it’s so whip-smart and smart that the shows arrogant level of self awareness is actually quite endearing and makes it all so much more enjoyable. A show that has such a level of quality that it grows on you with every viewing.
The voice cast for “Archer” maybe one of the better any assembled for an animated series. With H Jon Benjamin as our smug title character he brings a level of familiarity as any fan of shows like ‘Family Guy’ & ‘Bob’s Burgers’ will recognize his voice immediately and the familiarity of his and other voices in the show make it easy to slide on in. Judy Greer & Jessica Walter both of ‘Arrested Development’ fame brings up the snarky levels of hilarity to new highs. Chris Parnell & Aisha Tyler round out the primary cast and everyone involved dives into their roles making them their own and simply unimaginable that anyone else could have been doing their voices.
The picture and sound quality on the new Blu-Ray are fantastic and the special features on this set include the original unaired Archer pilot episode, The Making of Archer featurette, deleted scenes and more!
If you want a smart, raunchy, fast paced action comedy, than start watching “Archer” anyway you can; you won’t regret it.
5 out of 5 stars.
“Archer-Season 1” is now available on both DVD & Blu-Ray at video stores across Toronto; click here for a list of some of the finer stores near you.
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