Product Details

• Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Dubbed: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: December 27, 2011
• Run Time: 352 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (168 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005Y1ZU6Y
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,236 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

He's intrepid. He's absurdly egotistical. He's obsessed with sex (although perhaps not as much as his mother, not to mention several other characters in the show). He is, in fact, described by his own mom as "a vain, selfish, lying, and quite possibly alcoholic man-whore." This is Sterling Archer, self-described world's greatest spy and the hero of these 13 second-season episodes of Archer, the irreverent, often laugh-out-loud funny cartoon series from the FX network. This season's themes are no less adult than the last one's, including the suggestion of sex with a minor, a paternity suit, irresponsible gambling, and breast cancer--make that male breast cancer, specifically Archer's. Sterling (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) and his cohorts at ISIS, the agency run by mother Malory (Jessica Walter), gallivant around the globe, from the bayous of Louisiana (where they try to thwart an eco-terrorist) to the grand hotels of Monaco (where they somehow end up in the middle of the famous Grand Prix auto race) and a dark prison cell in Russia (where Archer has gone in an attempt to locate the man he believes to be his father). The jokes and puns come at us fast and furious. Some are obvious and sophomoric, if still amusing (Archer's supposed father is named Nikolai Jakov); others are cleverer (the topless young Swiss cutie who comes on to our hero claims that "he tried to touch me with his… Wilhelm"), and still others are downright smart and funny (not many TV shows, especially animated ones, touch on the difference between perquisite and prerequisite, or bailiwick and legerdemain). The character animation is limited, to say the least--those who recall the Clutch Cargo series from the late 1950s and early '60s should feel right at home--but the backgrounds are often quite beautiful. And if there's any doubt that Archer is not for kids, the ample profanity (no F-bombs, but pretty much everything else) should convince parents to keep their young ones out of earshot. Meanwhile, those wondering what the folks behind the voices look like will want to check out the bonus feature covering several cast members' appearance at Comic-Con. --Sam Graham

Product Description

Sterling Archer, the world’s most dangerous spy, and his snarky ISIS cohorts are back for another outrageously raunchy season of international espionage and hilarious inter-office intrigue! When he’s not busy foiling eco-terrorist threats, tracking down mysterious killers, or having sex in x-ray machines, the suave master-spy has his hands full with bikini-clad ninjas, Swiss nymphomaniacs, and paternity suits. Archer searches for the true identity of his father, battles breast cancer, and brings a sexy, ex-KGB agent home to meet his domineering mother. It’s all in a day’s work for the international man of mystery in this uproariously edgy animated farce.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars As Serious as Sex Addiction... August 17, 2011

By Theo

Format:DVD

Archer is a wonderfully absurdist frolic for strictly adult audiences. Fundamentally this show is a giant spoof of 1960s spy thrillers; a spoof made for decidedly 21st century sensibilities. It's the show Get Smart would have been had all the characters been perpetually high on crystal meth.

However you felt about season one, you'll probably feel the same way about season two. Personally, I love it! I don't think season two is actually any better than season one, but I don't think the quality has dropped at all either. So long story short, what we get here is more of the same. But without, I should stress, the show becoming merely repetitive.

If you haven't seen season one yet, I would suggest you begin at the beginning rather than just plunging in here. Season two does pick up pretty well exactly where season one left off. It'd be overstating things to say that this show is story-driven; it's more like a comedic improv act than that. But unlike most of Cartoon Network's [adult swim] cartoons, Archer does have a definite continuity. It's not like Aqua Teen Hunger Force where characters regularly die or get horribly mutilated only to be back again as normal the very next episode. In this universe when things happen, they've happened, and subsequent episodes do build on what's gone before.

In fact, in many ways this show is a whole lot like a more grown-up version of the original [adult swim] lineup. The sense of humor is certainly no less deranged. Things are as amoral and as brutal as ever. The difference is that the descent into anarchy is now played out on a much larger, more elaborate stage. What's more, given the success of the [adult swim] franchise, we're now watching shows with real budgets. This means that we can finally move beyond art lifted from old Hanna Barbera cartoons and into a world all our own. A jet-age, pop-art world that's smart, sexy, and at times just plain disturbing. Every bit as disturbing, say, as accidentally stumbling upon your mother's vibrator...

Not that I'm giving away any spoilers, you understand.

I'd never do that to you.

Theo.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A funnier sophomore season!!! November 18, 2011

By JJD

Format:DVD

Rare are those shows that actually grow and show improvement with each subsequent season. This is one of those shows...

While the first season focused mainly on the ensemble aspects, it still revolved mostly around the title character. I am, in no way, taking anything away from Season One. It still stands head and shoulders above the typical sitcom dribble that pollutes network TV. However...I have to say that I laughed like I haven't in years watching the second season.

The supporting cast was definitely more fleshed out (as much as you can in an animated series). The cancer themed episodes, while gut bustingly hilarious at times, also showed a side to Sterling that wasn't there in season one...a bit of a soft side. Pam, Cheryl, and Krieger each had several times to shine as stand alone characters of interest. I have to give the MVP of season two to Pam, though. Her past is more brought to light and the "kidnapping" episode really shows you just how strong her character is (literally and figuratively). Lana, Cyril, and Malory still seem pretty one dimensional...but each have their moments in the sun this season as well.

Hands down...still one of the funniest and smartest comedies in TV history...and second only to Arrested Development.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, Twisted, Cartoon Art August 19, 2011

By A Guy

Format:DVD

Archer is one of those shows that has to be watched to be properly understood. I could write about how there's this group of occasionally competent spies called ISIS, ruled over by alcoholic Mallory Archer, or about the self-centered, barely survived adventures of her son. But first, I don't want to spoil things, and second, to re-iterate, Archer has to be watched to be properly understood. I'll just say that I've seen every episode several times, and the better ones many more than that.

At turns hilariously funny, ridiculously twisted, and strangely badas*, Archer takes many of the elements of previous cartoons, but goes so much further. It combines the absurd situations of "Family Guy" with the bluff aggressiveness of "American Dad", adds in the inter-relationships central to "Futurama", and leavens the mix with more mature elements, plot continuity, and character growth rarely seen in animated shows. The result is a genius on behalf of the writing team that is unmatched.

To fully capitalize on writing, a show needs animation and voice acting; Archer delivers these in spades. The animation is somewhat "Pop-Art" stylized, with clean lines, movement and coloration that could have come out of Warhol's "Factory"; it might also remind older viewer of 1990's Jonny Quest (which I used to watch as a kid). The cast, many of whom were members of "Arrested Development", don't disappoint; Sterling Archer's lines especially are delivered with a timing and panache that fully express every iota of the writing's potential.

The DVD is definitely worth buying to enjoy the images in full, high-def quality, and makes a great present for adult "children" of all ages.

I'd recommend watching the first season first (crazy idea, right?), since some of the references are to earlier episodes. Once you start Archer, you won't want to miss any of it, and equally won't want any spoilers if you have to backtrack.