Anacleto: Agente secreto

This should be the Spanish version of the most known spy in the world, the British James Bond. But in this case the film is focused on adapting the comic, which was before. Anacleto was a well known Spanish character created by Manuel Vázquez, a Spanish comic writer as important as Stan Lee would be in the United States, but less fantastic and much more ironic with the reality of his times.

It has taken a long time at the Spanish industry to give a good version of the comic, and looking more for a good movie than to a translation from the comic to the big screen, the movie gets many licenses to tell the story of this spy. But it has its original humour, and mixes perfectly humour with action, using a good strategy by presenting an old agent and his natural son/substitute. Both characters are played by two representative Spanish actors: Imanol Arias, best known by his 17 seasons TV series "Cuéntame cómo pasó", some kind of drama based on the Spanish history before and after Franco's death, and Quim Gutiérrez, part of a new generation of actors who are taking the lead to the old stars. Both have a perfect chemistry at the screen, giving the right doses of comic situations and action, showing an important effort to be at the level of the big budget American films, and giving us a funny film which who knows, maybe would become a franchise.

The movie is an adaptation of an old Spanish comic which main character is Anacleto, a parody of James Bond. This does not mean that you have to know the comic to understand the movie, it is funny anyway. The story begins when Anacleto's main enemy Vazquez is released from prison. Vazquez tells Anacleto that he knows about his son and he is going to kill them both. Anacleto is going to have to protect his son and friends and try to finish Vazquez criminal activities. Spanish cinema is full of comedies and not all of them are really good but this one is probably the best of the last couple of years, i recommend it to everyone.

Such an entertaining, clever, fun, movie! Has all the elements you want. Good story line, good action scenes, clever lines, surprising plot twists, engaging characters. Great evening's entertainment! The characters work well together and provide compelling interactions. There are a few bloody scenes. Most are such spoofs that it's not at all disturbing. There is one scene that is unexpected, shocking, and really mean-spirited. Even that works well in the movie and doesn't impact the overall fabulous nature of the movie. The quirky nature of the movie reminds me of films directed by Almodovar. And, the ending is clearly a not-Hollywood finale, which is refreshing.

A very silly Spanish comedy, however fun and captivating, beat jokes, little innovative script, but calling the characters and humor strips at the right time does not make it tiring, nor that boring slapstick... Fun, captivating and even cute...

"Anacleto" Agente Secreto" is a parody of sorts of secret agent films. It is NOT in the same category or style as a "Casino Royale", "Austin Powers" or "Matt Helm" flick. Some folks enjoy these goofy spy yarns...I generally find them mindless and very forgettable. Instead, "Anacleto" is more along the lines of Jean Dujardin's "OSS 117" movies...mostly realistic but with a bit of whimsy. And, because of that, the danger, action and adventure seem more engaging.

When the film begins, the aging secret agent, Anacleto, is on a mission to bring a notorious villain to a new, more secure prison. But what he doesn't know is that this is a ruse and it's all part of a plan not only to break out the villain but for the villain to enact his revenge against Anacleto. What is the revenge? To find and kill Anacleto's son...the son who has no idea his father is a super-spy.

There were no laugh out loud moments in the movie...nor did they intend for there to be. Instead, you have a decent story, very good acting and (fortunately) no super-gadgets or silliness of that sort. A very good Spanish film I'd nearly rate an 8.