Agent Elvis

As an Elvis fan, I knew about Agent Elvis for some time, watched the whole first season the day it came out and really enjoyed it overall. It is definitely not for everyone, though. It's a pretty insane show reminiscent of Tarantino movies with lots of violence and raunchy humor. I'm not really sure what the target audience for this type of adult animated series surrounding a fictionalized Elvis Presley really is, and the fact that it was even made is surely surprising. Kudos to Netflix and the makers for being bold!

I appreciate that there is original Elvis music in virtually all episodes! The series covers a timeframe from shortly before the '68 Comeback special to the day of the Aloha from Hawaii concert. It's cool to see and hear all the references-major and minor-to the Elvis world. I think many of the references will only be noticed or understood by Elvis fans but they are in most cases not relevant to the plot. There are other pop-cultural references as well, for instance to Easy Rider, Apocalypse Now, Stanley Kubrick and 2001, The Doors and Jim Morrison, George Clinton, and Little Richard, to name a few. The plot surrounding Elvis "Agent King" Presley and an obscure organization named TCB mostly parodies Mission Impossible/James Bond type spy movies, with a bit of Manchurian Candidate vibes mixed in, and adds over-the-top violence. "Austin Powers meets Quentin Tarantino" describes Agent Elvis quite well I would say.

The animation of Agent Elvis looks great and modern, and in the lead role we have the appealing voice of Matthew McConaughey, who talks in his signature Southern drawl but does not imitate Elvis' voice. Then there is Johnny Knoxville as Elvis' sidekick Bobby Ray and Don Cheadle as the agent boss man. Even show co-creator Priscilla Presley has a couple of cameo scenes throughout the series. The voice actor standout for me, though, is Kaitlin Olson as Elvis' agent colleague CeCe Ryder. She has some of the funniest lines and delivers them sharply.

What I especially like about the show is how cleverly and fluently it incorporates contemporary historical events and figures into the plot. Events such as the Altamont festival, the Moon landing or the meeting between Elvis and Nixon are depicted as well as figures such as a completely insane version of Howard Hughes (who is a major supporting character in the whole series), Robert Goulet as Elvis' nemesis or good-time Charlie Manson. By the way, besides his singing voice, there are some photographs of the real-life Elvis in this show as well. After watching all 10 episodes, I can say that I would like to see a second season of Agent Elvis. We will see if it turns out to be successful enough.

Elvis dreamt of being the hero of a comic book. He had the jumpsuit, the cape, glitter and a whole collection of police badges, even a federal narcotics badge gifted from President Nixon.

While some fans won't appreciate the Tarantino-style language and violence, Elvis would have loved it.

With his trusty sidekick Scatter (yes, Scatter was real), and Billy Ray becoming a pastiche of the Memphis Mafia, Elvis gets to take out drug dealers, Charles Manson and infiltrate the White House (yes, that's sort-of true as well, he did turn up there and got to meet Nixon) It's raucous and inconsistent but often laugh-out-loud funny and the sprinkling of Elvis songs (thanks for using Change of Habit) add to the fun.

This show is really funny. Making references not only to Elvis himself but to sixties culture in general. Yes, it is irreverent, violent and graphic but it is a lot of fun. Every episode had me cracking up.

Obviously this show is a tribute to the King and possibly to what he liked or would liked to have been: a spy. But it is also a nice spy show.

The characters are well written and their stories are funnier as the show progresses.

I loved how the writers decided to include every possible conspiracy theory out there just for the sake of it.

This show is not for everyone but those who like this type of animation (adult swim) and this kind of humor will definitely appreciate it.

I don´t think the show need any more episodes or seasons, it works just as it is.

Elvis 1968 to 1971 was about the coolest man on the planet. As cool or cooler than Elvis 1954 to 1958? Who cares!? This cartoon is late 60s, early 70s Elvis, reinvented in cartoon form as a Matt Helm/ Our Man Flint / Archer/ Johnny Bravo character. And ... it's cool! It's fun! It's stupid ... fun, cool stupid. The sort of Elvis fan who genuflects at his name will consider this toon romp as unforgiveable blasphemy, and will be most likely want to dump on the cartoon. I'm a fan of Elvis and have been for decades ... got a tattoo, everything he's recorded (bad and superb), etc. You don't have to be an Elvis fan to enjoy this series, but the silliness, stupid violence and general irreverence should give this wider appeal.

Some nice, subtle satire too.

I came for Elvis and his music, stayed for Matthew McConaughey - Best choice for voicing Elvis!

Miss these 60's era shows with their Pulp Fiction style action. The humour is crude and way more reflective of that time than now which may not work for a lot of the current generation.

Overall the series has a lot of potential. I do feel the cussing and f bombs went a bit overboard but the pace and style is good.

Being set in the 60s, a lot of humour would be impossible now with everything being offensive or triggering but if people can let go of their hangups and just enjoy this series as an animation, its a fun watch.