Here’s how I’m breaking down this review of the DVD:
Are you a fan of Archer?
If so you should buy this DVD. You already know it’s one of the funniest shows on television so you should be doing all that you can to help keep it on air. Granted it already has a renewal for season two (which starts in a few weeks!) but strong DVD sales would only help ensure that it stays around much longer.
If you’re curious about the show (I refuse to admit that anyone would be willing to NOT be a fan I just assume you haven’t come around yet) you need to watch it. You might not want to shill out 20 bucks for the DVD but this as good of a blind purchase as anything else. The DVD doesn’t feature many snazzy special features; it’s the full season that warrants its $20 price tag. There aren’t any commentary tracks and they only offer a few deleted scenes (which I would imagine would be rare for an animated show) but there are several extended behind-the-scenes looks at the animators. I was surprised at the advanced level of graphics that go into the show (much like how the programs used to create Jurassic Park are now used to create South Park a LOT of modeling and coding goes into Archer).
The DVD also offers the pilot episodes for two other FX shows Louie and The League: both are deserving of equal viewing time. While I would have liked to see more Archer footage I really appreciate them company for supporting their other new shows.
They also include the original pilot episode of Archer which had a different actor voicing titular secret agent Sterling Archer. I know it’s difficult to see anyone else in the role besides H. Jon Benjamin but it’s still awesome to see who – and what – the producers originally had in mind.
