Anacleto: Agente Secreto

This action comedy set in the spying world comes with an unfortunate handicap right from the start, that being that the spy spoof genre has been done to death for decades, from the Matt Helm movies to the Austin Power series. Actually, I will admit that while most of the gags in the movie (as well as some plot turns) are tired and familiar, there were some giggles here and there, as well as some genuine laughs, my favorite scene being the breakfast sequence. Though the comedy that does work is somewhat hampered by some moments of surprisingly harsh violence. But even though the movie is not as funny as you probably want it to me, it does remain surprisingly watchable. It does move from scene to scene at a quick pace, so it doesn't become boring. And the Spanish cast is very game and likable, giving the movie a buoyant spirit that gives it some spark. Obviously this is not the greatest comedy ever made, but if you are in an undemanding mood and are curious to see an example of modern day populist Spanish cinema, this is a pleasant time waster.

This likable silly farce with numberless comedy set pieces deals about Anacleto (Imanol Arias) , a veteran agent in undercover identity dressed in black suit with bond tie and a smoking cigarette in the mouth , as well as his son Adolfo (Quim Gutiérrez) , a young who is going through a bad time . Not only his lifetime sweetheart , Katia , (Alejandra Jimenez) has just to ended with him to be a person with no ambition but , moreover , he and his dad are pursued by a dangerous criminal who has just escaped from prison . Also to be aware that his father is not a farmer engaged in the production of cold meat - as Adolfo has believed all his life- , but Anacleto , a secret agent who really works for G.P. (the meaning of the acronym was never explained in the original comic book) and the man who locked Vázquez up in prison thirty years ago . Anacleto has been a widower for many years and lost his spouse when Adolfo was a young boy . As Anacleto and his son get together again to thwart the plans of cunning baddie , Vazquez . As Anacleto is an expert shooter and runner , throwing himself from great heights with great ability to avoid any hits and falling to the ground but not hurting . Then , Adolfo to accompany in numerous adventures to his daddy , the person that Adolfo get on worse with in the world to survive the vendetta of Vazquez . But "Anacleto Nunca Falla" (Anacleto never fails , leitmotiv of the main role), said several times , is the principal quote , as he always hits the target .

A hilarious parody of the famous comic books :¨Anacleto Agente Secreto¨ with a similar premise to ¨Get Smart¨ series . The spoof is surrealist , extreme and gross-out but is also bold and intelligent with a myriad of imaginative sketches with no sense , slapdash and slapstick . The picture is full of pursuits , noisy action , fights , state-of-art special effects , and between crossfire and chases , including a sentimental plot , as starring Quim Gutiérrez attempting to get his fiancée back . The flick contains an unstopped string of gags each thirty seconds and silly jokes ; as from start to finish the action and comedy are interminable that's why the viewers will laugh uncontrollably .Most of laughs and sight gags galore work acceptably well . Sympathetic performances from Imanol Arias as an intrepid agent who has a double identity , and Quim Gutiérrez as a thirty something security guard who will have to leave his comfort zone to help his father . Both of whom become the targets of a series of thugs led by Vázquez well played by Carlos Areces . Habitual quirky and lunatic characters , especially reincarnated by Rossy De Palma as mother of Katia , Sílvia Abril , José Corbacho , Andreu Buenafuente , Eduardo Gómez and special mention for Berto Romero as Martin . Colorful cinematography by Arturo Valls Colomer , adding a special atmosphere that bears remarkable resemblance the visual look of the offices in Spain of the middle 60's, accurately the time of Anacleto's creation . Thrilling and suspenseful musical score by Javier Rodero . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Javier Ruiz Caldera . He is a competent director and editor , known for : Spanish movie (2009) , Tres Bodas De Más (2013), Promoción Fantasma (2012) and this Anacleto: Agente Secreto (2015).

It is based on the popular comics from Manuel Vázquez Gallego (Madrid, 1930 – Barcelona, 1995), he was a prestigious Spanish cartoonist. He was one of the most important artists of Editorial Bruguera. His family were friends with comedians Wenceslao Fernández Flórez and Enrique Jardiel Poncela, who influenced Vázquez's humor. Vázquez started to publish in the 1940s in a new magazine . He started to publish in Editorial Bruguera in 1947. He used to introduce himself as villain in his own comics . And created a lot of characters , for example: Las Hermanas Gilda (The Gilda Sisters) (The adventures of two very different sisters), (A surrealist parody of James Bond), La Familia Cebolleta (The Scallion Family) or El tío Vázquez (Uncle Vázquez) (A self- parody) . And this original comic book series ¨Anacleto, Agente Secreto (Anacleto, Secret Agent)¨ created in 1964 as a Spanish parody of James Bond , here Anacleto is brave agent , single and does not have any girlfriend . There is a 2010 biopic film based on his life called El gran Vázquez directed by Óscar Aibar and starring Santiago Segura . When Editorial Bruguera disappeared Vazquez also joined in adult magazines such as El Papus or Makoki with the alias Sappo . Vázquez died in 1995.

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.

The spoof type of spy warfare movies may be due to the fact that I have seen a similar British ace spy before, which directly leads to the feeling that the film is a little boring, a little scratchy, and not thorough enough to break the rules.

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.