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.

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.

I haven't read the comic, so I can't compare those two. I can say that this is very silly and it makes no excuses for that. It also is pretty violent for a silly comedy. There are consequences (at certain places) that lead to people dying violently. So while this has premature/adolescent jokes, it also has blood in it.

Having said that, it does seem to swerve from comedy to serious action from time to time. If you don't mind that jumping through hoops and didn't want to show it to your kids anyway, you will be able to enjoy it for what it is. It may be mostly predictable but it also has some very interesting choices character wise. The gum joke does not really work as a pay out, the name reference (also in the title) has a slightly better fate. Still there are too many jokes that fall short of their potential, but there's also still a lot that is entertaining for it to have been a complete disaster

"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.

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...