Cult US cable TV network Adult Swim has been responsible for some of the finest adult animation of recent years, from Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law to Aqua Teen Hunger Force and now ridiculous spy caper Archer.
Thankfully for Archer’s justifiably large fanbase, this second season of spy-based semi-‘60s silliness maintains the same hilarious quality as our hero Sterling Archer takes on, amongst other things, the Irish mob, Russian spies, eco-terrorists, a brush with male breast cancer and fake chemotherapy drugs and the return of his nemesis, Barry Dylan.
Creator Adam Reed’s formula again mixes the stylish Mad Men look and semi-alcoholic daytime drinking with outlandish Bond plots and irreverent, often stubbornly low brow humour to great effect. All of our characters are basically unlikeable incompetents, but it’s a real strength that this doesn’t matter in the slightest when the plots are this funny.
Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers star (and all-round voice acting legend) H. Jon Benjamin leads the cast, brilliant as ever in the title role. Joining him again are the likes of Arrested Development’s Jessica Walter as his couldn’t-be-more-Lucille Bluth mother, Malary, and her co-star from that show, Judy Greer as his colleague Cheryl, along with special guest appearances including UK comedy titan Peter Serafinowicz.
This list, along with some lesser-known stars of 30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Anchorman, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and pretty much everything you’ve ever liked, makes for a spectacular pedigree of comedy talent that never fails to spark with Reed’s deft writing.
The third season’s airing in the US at the moment (featuring, gloriously, Burt Reynolds); we can’t wait.
Released on DVD and Blu-ray on Monday 26th March 2012 by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
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