He’s all shook up…and prepared for vengeance. Agent Elvis is a little bit of an odd one. It’s an animated collection that revives the long-lasting King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley (Matthew McConaughey), again to life in a high-stakes espionage journey. Elvis is reinvented as a suave vigilante-turned-undercover spy who should save the world whereas maintaining his rockstar id a secret. Simpler stated than achieved, proper? Whereas the premise might scream “camp” to most, that is the uncommon animated collection the place it does its real-world inspiration proper, pushing loads of grownup laughs, cool animation, and Elvis songs. Actually, what’s to not like?
AGENT ELVIS : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
Opening Shot: An animated Elvis Presley stands together with his guitar slung over his shoulder and hand on his mic stand within the studio. That is NBC Studios in Burbank, CA in 1968. He chats together with his producer about utilizing the tune “Hassle” throughout his ’68 Comeback Particular however is rapidly steered towards singing Christmas songs, identical to in actual life.
The Gist: Elvis is having fun with fame as one of many largest stars on the earth. However he’s additionally a vigilante who spends his free time taking over dangerous guys and evildoers. Typical rockstar stuff. He has his buddy Bobby Ray (Johnny Knoxville), pet chimpanzee Scatter (Tom Kenny), spouse Priscilla (Priscilla Presley), and mom determine Bertie (Niecy Nash) at his facet. And with that form of household, he can do something — together with bash the dangerous guys’ heads in.
After a few run-ins with of us who seemingly need nothing greater than to see Elvis lifeless, he meets a with a mysterious girl named CeCe Ryder (Kaitlin Olson) — sure, just like the tune — an agent who belongs to a top-secret group that the primary episode doesn’t fairly cowl. She mentions her job is ensuring Elvis doesn’t find yourself lifeless, nevertheless, so she’ll undoubtedly be necessary going ahead.
Elvis and CeCe work collectively to trace down the mysterious band of murderers who need him lifeless for some motive: the Manson household. Why do they need to kill Elvis, particularly? What does Charles Manson (Fred Armisen) need with the star? Who is aware of? Who cares, actually? Elvis can take him. He has a killer chimp as a pet and is, like, the best rock and roll musician of all time. And now he’s additionally kicking a ton of ass.
What Exhibits Will It Remind You Of? There are sturdy Archer vibes from Agent Elvis, although Elvis is seemingly far more competent than something Sterling Archer would sort out. Stylistically and thematically, the exhibits share some similarities. And given Elvis’s all-around “family-friendly” affiliation, there are shades of animated collection like Harley Quinn to be seen right here, the place a considerably family-friendly character is rebooted with foul-mouthed buddies and grownup materials to nice impact. Do you know Elvis dropped this many F-bombs? Me both!
Our Take: Agent Elvis had the makings of a throwaway collection throughout it when it was first introduced. However for those who give it an opportunity, you’ll come away having completely loved your self, particularly for those who have been or have gotten a fan of the singer. And with films like Elvis within the public eye, curiosity within the celebrity has solely skyrocketed in latest days. It could appear like a foolish spoof, however it’s really fairly entertaining, and makes Elvis appear, nicely, as cool as he in all probability really was. Cooler, actually.
There’s somewhat one thing for everybody, like high-speed automotive crashes, a Manson household beatdown, a monkey trampling somebody near demise, and Elvis performing for audiences on TV whereas cuddling with spouse Priscilla (Priscilla Presley). And it’s all achieved to the tune of Elvis requirements, which could have you dancing in your seat.
The place Agent Elvis really shines, nevertheless, is its stylistic, comic-centric strategy to animation. Whereas one may count on cheapness given its preliminary trailer and advertising supplies, it goes to nice lengths to make the collection really feel like a comic book guide crossover that’s come to life. Thick strains, exaggerated bodily varieties, and literal comedian panels advance the story throughout action-packed moments. It not solely seems to be good, however it feels good. It’s easy, aesthetically pleasing, and excellent for the subject material. Titmouse actually knocked it out of the park with this one.
Parting Shot: After Elvis and CeCe half methods, he heads residence to cuddle with spouse Priscilla and their daughter, Lisa Marie. They watch Elvis’s comeback particular collectively and Elvis closes out the present, however not till after we be taught that the limo chase from earlier within the episode was deliberate by an unknown entity who had been testing the singer.
Sleeper Star: Hardly a sleeper star in actual life, Niecy Nash is Bertie, who’s one thing of a mom determine to Elvis. Her iconic voice brings a spiced heat to the character. You realize who she is as quickly as Bertie opens her mouth, and although she tries her finest to maintain Elvis reined in, at her core she loves and cares concerning the star, mentioning at one level that she had promised the star’s mom that she would assist deal with him after she handed.
Most Pilot-y Line: Elvis explains to a possible assailant what his “deal” is, referring to his vigilante actions: “You see, some time in the past, I made a decision I wasn’t simply gonna sit round whereas this nation’s torn aside by all of the chaos, the dirtbag hippies, the medication, the crime. No, no, no, not on my watch.”
Our Name: STREAM IT. You wouldn’t assume {that a} present that transforms the King of Rock ‘n Roll into an animated spy would work. Surprisingly, it does – and nicely. McConaughey’s easy Southern drawl is the right match for Presley, the animation is fluid and enticing, and the laughs come at you rapidly. It’s a raucous good time, and deserves an excellent, old style attempt – even by suspicious minds.
Brittany Vincent has been overlaying video video games and tech for over a decade for publications like G4, Standard Science, Playboy, Selection, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Maxim, GameSpot, and extra. When she’s not writing or gaming, she’s amassing retro consoles and tech. Observe her on Twitter: @MolotovCupcake.
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