Código Emperador

This is a really solid, well-made, intriguing and eminently watchable film. Unlike typical Hollywood 'action', with constant fight scenes, explosions and CGI to force the pace and to keep you "entertained", this movie brings you into a well-acted story plot and keeps you there. Highly recommended! Enjoy.

It's not usually how spy movies are treated. This one takes a different tack in exploring the subject of political blackmail and manipulation by means of electronic surveillance. It's an engaging story without any dull moment as pacing is just right.

Luis Tosar is his usual great self as a talented actor. What might be surprising is casting an otherwise unknown actress with Filipino descent. And she acquits herself admirably. May this vehicle help Alexandra Masangkay's film career. The producers might have included her for the sake of inclusivity but they did not err in their choice or gambit, if you like.

This is a thoughtful film. Don't expect a surfeit of action sequences ala James Bond or Jason Bourne. But it drives home an important point: the things men do to exploit the weakness of others for their nefarious ends.

"rara avis" in the current panorama of Spanish cinema. In my opinion the interpretation of Miguel Rellán is a little off the hook, I expected something more consistent. Overall, I think it's a good movie.

This is a very well-crafted story about a shady operative who comes to have doubts about what he is doing. The acting and script are top knotch, and the pace and timing of the plot are measured enough so you can grasp all the complexity of the overlapping storylines while also keeping your attention, not to mention keeping you guessing. The only off note concerns the operation in Panama, which was an unnecessary distraction. Missing are the excessive blood and explosions which seem to be required in all "action" films these days, and that added a star to my rating. A film that does not insult your intelligence.

Código Emperador succeeds in creating an interesting spy plot, but fails to generate tension, deviating a few times from the main story to deal with side missions that do not add to the plot.

Juan is an intelligence agent, a detective, as he puts it, but, at least to me, it is not clear if he is an official agent of Spanish Intelligence or if he is a private detective who ends up working for Intelligence. The fact is that Juan is an expert in espionage for a corrupt organization and ends up getting too involved in a case.

The premise is the classic story of the spy who lets his human side surface. His work begins to flog him morally, which leads him to accept risks he once avoided. And of course, this doesn't go unnoticed.

Some minor plots are only for character building. These are acceptable plots, but they deviate from the focus of the two main plots, stories A and B, that make up the film.

The outcome ends up disappointing for its brevity. Many holes remain open, instigating a possible sequel; but with the film's success, it looks like Code Emperador will be a one-time entry.