Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated spy spoof has wall-to-wall language, sex, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Agent Elvis
What's the Story?
AGENT ELVIS imagines an alternate late 60s, in which Elvis Presley (Matthew McConaughey) moonlights as a secret agent, intent on ridding the world of villains who endanger the safety and security of the United States (or Elvis himself). Out on the road away from Graceland and wife Priscilla (Priscilla Presley), Elvis plots his next career moves and battles evildoers with the help of best friend Bobby Ray (Johnny Knoxville) and his pet chimp, Scatter (Tom Kenny).
Is It Any Good?
Archer did it better, but this secret agent action series has star power and a premise that's more interesting for having a seed of truth in it. Elvis Presley really did meet with President Nixon in 1970 after writing him a letter suggesting he'd be a great undercover federal drug enforcement agent (aside from acquiring a symbolic badge, though, he never really did any secret agent work). But in Agent Elvis, the animated Elvis is at the center of international conspiracies of evildoers, fighting a never-ending battle against evil forces, while real-life historical people of the era make appearances, like Charles Manson (Fred Armisen) and Dean Martin.
At best, this show is an amusing, if feather-light spoof of spy narratives; at worst, it's not half as funny as it wants to be, mostly because the writing is just so-so. Showrunners attempt to paper over that lack with lots of bloody action, wall-to-wall language, and explicit (cartoon) sexuality. But again, Archer did it better, with mature content married to sharp, ironic humor and innovative storytelling that made that show rise above the level of this one. The visuals are interesting and colorful, the voice acting from an array of well-known stars is effective and fun. But unless you're either a major Elvis fan or an animated spy spoof aficionado, there are better ways to kill a half hour.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about who this show is designed to appeal to. Do you think the fact that it's animated gives it more "kid appeal" than a live-action version? Do you think people often assume that anything animated is OK for younger viewers? Do the levels of violence, sex, drugs, drinking, and language in the show make it inappropriate for kids?
What makes this show a spoof? How do Elvis' assignments differ from those of James Bond or the Mission: Impossible team? Does his after-hours social life seem Bond-like?
What about the super-spy genre makes it so ripe for parody? Do you recognize real-life celebrities and historical events amongst the jokes? Do these references make the spoof more enjoyable?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 17, 2023
- Cast : Matthew McConaughey , Kaitlin Olson , Johnny Knoxville
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 24, 2023
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