Capitão Falcão

Forget Marvel, forget DC. Portuguese superhero "Capitain Falcon" is a vintage hero such as "Rocketeer" and "Spirit", but fights crime in the years of fascist regime lead by Salazar... supporting it! The movie strongly reminded me the not well known France-USA comedy "Mr. Freedom", from 1969, due to its high level of mock and politicization in a parody of both superheroes and conservatism, but is is even better, as it has been able to keep a nice pace, playing with absurd situations without missing the point. If it weren't campy, a comparison with "Watchmen" would also be appropriated. Hilarious, ironic and smart Portuguese film, strongly recommended! It is also visually sophisticated and has a nice soundtrack. Overacting is in the precise level required for a spoof like this. The grotesque evil represented in the movie by everything that is progressive increases the level of irony to the top. The relation between the fascist superhero and his sidekick, Puto Perdiz (Partridge Kid, but a much funnier name in Portuguese), and the nemesis represented by April Captains (what a great idea! their symbol is a carnation flower!) assure lots of laughs.

When I decided to watch Capitão Falcão, I had had the opportunity to realize there was a very positive feedback on this movie from some friends and acquaintances over the internet. Nevertheless, one is always a bit suspicious when it comes to a popular Portuguese film - don't get me wrong, there can be very good cinema in Portugal! - that doesn't let down.

This film is a satire, basically portraying the good and true Portuguese as a person of value, that loves their family, acts fervently towards any patriotic action and that is totally against Communism and its ideology. For a Portuguese who knows well the history around the dictatorship practiced in Portugal with António de Oliveira Salazar, like the most of us, it becomes even more shocking, although in a very funny way, how some individuals could manage to get a comedy out of what really happened.

Moreover, this movie is genuinely funny; there are crazy moves, fights, outrageous lines and even recreations from our childhood.

In conclusion, and although I can not consider it to be a perfect film, it is a true breath of fresh air when it pertains to the Portuguese film industry that also shows we are perfectly capable of laughing of ourselves and, more importantly, leave the cinema thinking, at least for once - I'm so glad I'm Portuguese!

In order to represent the time of Portugal ruled by António de Oliveira Salazar, this film creates a heroic character who defends Portugal and Salazar at all costs with the help of Puto Perdiz. over the film is approached Portuguese habits, the Spanish civil war, PVED (Surveillance and State Defence Police), also known as "pip" and the existing hatred for the communists.

Furthermore this film is a caricature to the State, all superhero movies, as well as the scenes of present actions ourselves.

It's a movie of humor. A humor that not everyone likes! But for the who enjoy this type of humor, they will have an hour and a half lots fun!

Probably one of the best Portuguese films of the last decades. With subtle and delightful details, portrays of satirical and humorous forms a dictatorial era of Portugal. With a unique and politically incorrect style, the director manages to tell the story of a patriot hero, against the dangers of change.Of course, you can take political and partisan elations up to today, but I believe the motive is just the fun and comedy. No comparison, but with similar traits, I would venture to say that this film would be a Forrest Gump crossed with the Batman series of the 60's to tell a small part of the recent history of Portugal.

Despite being understood as a comedy and a satire of fascist Portugal during the Estado Novo era, "Capitão Falcão" falls short in some aspects, such as the pace of the story, visual production, and script, which at various moments makes everything somewhat monotonous and fateful.

However, the film nailed it in various particularities, which I believe are what gave it immense potential. For example, the development/creation of the characters. I've never seen a Portuguese film so well-done in that aspect. Every character, without exception, is intricately crafted and accurately represents many of the flaws of those who were the figures, representative or not, of the people of that time. I loved the character "Capitão Falcão" and "Puto Perdiz," which reminiscent of Batman and Robin from the 1960s. Other characters like the "comuninja" and the "Capitães de Abril" are also remarkable.

The overall performance of the actors was very good, with a special highlight for Gonçalo Waddington, of course.

In conclusion, this movie had great potential, but due to lack of pace and production investment (at least for me), underdelivers and falls a bit short. I believe there is still a long way to go for Portuguese productions in the global cinematic context. Investment is needed.