Spy Time

source: Spy Time

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.

Unknown spy comedy gem, that is so charming and witty. Quite oriignal plot turns as well. Great characters. Terrific dialogues. Anything I could wish for in a spy comedy. With a Spanish touch. Yes, the Spanish can make great spy comedies, they really can! The story: a looser, a couch potato gets dumped by his girlfriend. He begs her to stay, but she wants a boyfriend who is active and who does thrilling things with her. Little did she know her boyfriend's father is a real spy and when the father returns home all hell breaks loose, with lots of chases, break ins, shootouts and hilarious mix ups. Highly recommended watch. So charming and witty!

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

Perhaps the major problem with ANACLETO is that the story line is almost the same as KINGSMAN THE SECRET SERVICE (2014). *****SPOILER ALERT ***** Both are based on a comic. Both have prospective agents and mentors (a father in this case), somewhat comic villains and treacherous bosses *****END OF SPOILER ***** However, similarities end thee. While KINGSMAN had a production budget ANACLETO can only dream of; the Spanish movie keeps its roots and related humor (nobody knows what the name of the secret agency stands for; agents complain about salaries and have not budget for an helicopter or to work overtime or gadgets). Sadly; there are many comic moments but you keep waiting for more. In terms of action and violence ; ANACLETO really delivers. There are some well made but comically staged fights, explosions, shootings and violent deaths. Some scenes are really strong and cruel; blood is almost absent. Acting is superb; Imanol Arias is very good; but Quim Guitierrez really delivers a fine and not overacted performance. Other characters are good too.