Orígenes secretos

"Unknown Origins" is a Spanish crime fighting cocktail with a "kick" and lots of "punch" that really delivers on all fronts.

This flick is perfect blend of unashamedly shlocky superhero stick and crime drama that just works. The clever cross over between the world of real crime fighting and the imagined world of crime fighting super hero's, draws this tale neatly into one very watchable package.

Acting is top notch, as are characterisations and story. The only downside is the speed at which dialogue is delivered, making it hard at times to keep up, if, like me, you need to read the subtitles (the film is in Spanish).

Nonetheless, its been a while since I've enjoyed a film this much.

Great stuff.

8/10.

I understand that some may feel a bit underwhelmed with how this ends (the note it leaves one with). I personally didn't feel that way, but that's what makes watching movies and talking about them so good. We can discuss things, tell and hear how others felt about them.

Overall this is a funny effort (something that some may find annoying, humor is also something that is in the eye of the beholder), but if you get along with it, if you align and accept the ride you're about to take, you'll love the characters and their weirdness. And why shouldn't you? Yes there are some serious tones and drama as well ... you need that too. Overall light entertainment, very well made and not just (but especially) something for the comic book nerds (don't be judgy if you can)

Orígenes Secretos (or Unknown Origins for the English title) is a Spanish movie from David Galán Galindo. He did a good job making this story entertaining. It's well shot, with plenty of mild action, a good suspenseful and mysterious plot, and a cast that did gave convincing performances. It's a modern superhero movie without the usual supernatural powers. Instead you get an investigation about a serial killer, that uses comic books as his inspirations. It's pleasant to follow, with some humorous touches. The ending could have been slightly better but overall it's certainly worth a watch if you like some hunting for a serial killer stories.

This is an entertaining film that, for most of the reviews I've read by English-speaking critics, has been significantly misunderstood and underestimated. Some critics have complained abou the lack of wit that would make the film sharper and more interesting. However, a good amount of humor gets lost in translation. I'm not referring to English subtitles but rather the sociopolitical context of the Spanish (not the language but the country) experience. Spanish cinema often introduces criticism of the current sociopolitical situation by way of "zingers" at the most unexpected moments. For those of us that understand this, the film has plenty of intelligently developed humorous dialogue and situations that save it from important ot holes. Through twists and turns Origenes Secretos takes us on a trip of silly dialogues and gory crime scenes. Character development could have been better, but as the film enters the final stretch the characters make perfect sense. I'm hopeful that a sequel will be better developed and the plot tighter.

...Genuinely that, it's as far away from the type of film I enjoy, but for some bizarre reason I enjoyed it. It's incredibly flawed, the story is all over the place, the characters are bonkers, and the comic book references were way over my head.

That said, it was unique, entertaining and gloriously over the top. I would perhaps not watch it again, but as a one off I would recommend it. It appeals to me as a lover of mysteries and whodunnits, it will perhaps appeal to fans of Super Hero movies and comic books.

Javier Rey was great in it, I think he was the standout.

If it becomes a series I'd watch it, better in Spanish with subtitles, the dubbing was distracting.

Very good, 7/10.