Now, I understand that this film was quiet a hit in its native Spain and realize that (like the comic) it is considered a bit of a national treasure among comic-book-aficionados, like "Asterix" in France and "Tintin" is in Belgium. But that movie or that comic – namely "Mortadelo y Filemon" is not what I'm going to talk about.I'm going to talk about "Clever & Smart", which is the German title and boy, did they ever butcher that one! The comic was previously rather popular in Germany; mainly during the 1980's until the appeal eventually wore off as the material became more repetitive. It didn't (and didn't strive) to have the intellectual qualities of the series said above. If you're not familiar with the basic story: it's basically a satire of the secret-agent-genre, with two incompetent but sheer indestructible protagonists, said Mortadelo and Filemon. Mortadelo is the more anarchist one of this duo, being able to disguise himself as virtually everything at will, but at the same time the more simple-minded part, despite Filemon not being an intellectual giant either. Filemon is his more rational partner, usually grumpy and seeing himself as the leading man, despite usually bearing the brunt whenever his partner messes up (which is usually the case). Now imagine an episode of "Tom & Jerry". Not the squeaky-clean version of modern times, but the originals, where cat and mouse still fought each other tooth and nail, inflicting more damage and pain to each other than would physically be possible and still continuing the chase – alive and well – two seconds later. And now multiply that by a hundred. There's barely a panel in the comic where somebody involved doesn't get maimed, flattened by steam-rollers, blown up or otherwise mutilated. Rule of thumb being of course, that in the next panel they're up and about as if nothing happened.Granted, to turn this massive orgy of (comical) menace and destruction into a real-life-action movie prior to the new century and CGI would have been virtually impossible – and if attempted, it would have been way more expensive and labor-intensive than most companies could afford. Granted also, that the computer-animation of 2003 wasn't exactly on par with modern standards nowadays, but it sufficed to turn the comic carnage into a real film. The problem is this: since the source-material was already relatively light when it came to complex story lines, relying almost entirely on slapstick and one-liners, it must have been difficult to stretch this thin material into an hour and a half of film. But, as said, one can watch it for the effects if one is willing to forgive the lack of a deeper story. But I have to give it to the producer: optically both our "heroes" couldn't have been better cast and I dare say, from all the comic-adaptations I've seen – which have been plenty – none have fitted a shoe as perfect as Mortadelo and Filemon.Now we get to the reason why this film went completely flat in Germany: somebody in marketing saw it as a wise decision to cast the "comedic" (if you want to call it that) duo Erkan & Stefan as the voice-overs for the two agents. If you've never heard of them and/or are not German, nevermind, you haven't missed a thing. The duo makes a living imitating street- and ghetto-kids (one reason why one has adopted a Turkish name), who imitate the demeanor and attire of teen, wannabe hip-hoppers and their comedic repertoire consists mainly of grimacing and pretending that they only have a semi-illiterate grasp of the language. In short: they play morons who imitate the same crowd whom they cater to. Need I mention that many potential viewers either left the cinema as soon as they heard Mortadelo and Filemon "speak" – and that many more simply refused to enter the cinema in the first place? Perhaps the movie would have a chance if they would simply re-synchronize it with competent speakers (which are aplenty; Germany is known to have developed synchronizing movies into an art of its own), but until that happens, the fate of this movie is to lie on the 1-Euro shelves of dying video-stores and grab-shops – and they'll probably lie there for a long time to come. In that form I'd give it 4/10 and would consider it generous.

Funny flick plenty of offbeat characters , haunting mood-pieces , fun scenes and sense of style but not totally satisfactory , including conventional pitfalls . Entertaining picture, fundamental for lovers of "Comic" and "Tebeos" and it has the highest budget for digital special effects film in the history of Spanish cinema . A dangerous invention has been stolen to professor "Bacterio" (Janfri Topera) , it is a device that ends in the hands of a crazy dictator named "Calimero el Tirano" (Paco Sagárzazu), and ready to use it . The Head of the organization of counterintelligence T. I. A. (it stands for "Técnicos de Investigación Aeroterráquea", Technicians of Aero-ground Investigation. 'TIA' is Spanish for 'aunt', a joke on the U.N.C.L.E. series) : the Súper (Mariano Venancio) wants to recover it but he knows that it should not call Mortadelo and Filemón , so it sends the case to a boaster detective called Freddy Mazas (Dominique Pinon) so that recover the invention , but Freddy is bribed by the dictator Tirano . Two bungler agents decide to investigate the case for their own means , these agents are "Mortadelo" (Benito Pocino), and "Filemón" (Pepe Viyuela) . Along the way they go to 13 Rue Percebe where appears Rompetechos (Emilio Gavira). As the front of the building collapses, the interiors of the different apartments are just like those in "13, Rue del Percebe", another famous comic by Francisco Ibáñez.This amusing film packs thrills , action , comic situations , tongue-in-cheek , surrealist comedy including conventional pitfalls and many other things . The adaptation to the cinema of the popular characters of Spanish comic of F.Ibáñez got a huge box office hit smash , grossing as one of the biggest successes in the history of Spanish cinema with more than 4,750,000 spectators and almost 22 million Euros . Plot of the film is based on comic stories 'El Sulfato Atómico', 'Safari Callejero', 'Chapeau el Esmirriau' and 'Valor y Al Toro'. After more than four decades entertaining through the comics, the most known couple of detectives are brought to life by means of the big screen . It was clear from the beginning the complexity to transfer a comic book to cinema ; however director Fesser gets a good rendition about our unforgettable memories of childhood. That is the major asset of this film, along with a beloved tribute to other characters of Ibáñez as the inhabitants of "13 Rue del Percebe" or "Rompetechos" . As the 13 Rue Del Percebe scene is based on an Francisco Ibáñez drawing which satirized Spanish society . Javier Fesser, without ostentatious means , gets to mingle some easily recognizable moments about the veterans agents of the "T. I. A. " with others of pure and exclusive comedy along with absurd events . The actors faithfully represent their characters and not to leave out of place the viewer at any time . Exaggerated accidents in a nonsensical world created by the great F. Ibáñez , embarrassing situations , the beating , shaking , falls, highlight sequences as when "Mortadelo" and "Filemón" trying to capture "El Matraca" , "Tirania" scenes..., all of them through some breathtaking special effects. Magnificent production design by César Macarrón and colorful cinematography by Xavi Giménez . "La Gran Aventura de Mortadelo y Filemón " is undoubtedly a faithful as well as nicely representation of the comics of F. Ibañez in the big screen . Including self-homages : as near the end, at the parade, a poster on the wall says "Ibañez for President" , Francisco Ibáñez is the creator of the Mortadelo and Filemón cartoon characters . The motion picture was well directed by Javier Fesser , though he overdoes the same premise , the craziness and abstract humor carried out by the famous couple created by Francisco Ibañez . The film was the second job of Javier Fesser as director while maintaining the quality of his previous film, "El Milagro de P. Tinto". Fesser shows us that surrealist and absurd humor applied to the characters created by the great cartoonist and creator F. Ibáñez . Fesser has gotten translate the "comics" with all its details and adapt, at the same time, on his own ideas . It's a movie impossible to understand for those outside the comic and veterans readers of the former "Tebeos" in Spain . Writer/Actor/ Director Javier Fesser was born in 1964 in Madrid . He is a writer and actor, and along his brother Guillermo Fesser forms the Radio comical group ¨Gomaespuma¨ , both of them have written and directed some amusing films , such as : The miracle of P. Tinto (1998), Cándida (2006) and this ¨The great adventure of Mortadelo y Filemón¨ (2003)

This has to be one of the all time best crazy fun movies that I have ever seen. The cast is excellent and the quality of the props and scenery are also excellent to watch. I don't speak Spanish and therefore the sub-titles are great. I saw this show on local TV and am now going to purchase a DVD copy as its an excellent library addition. I missed the first 10 minutes of the show and I am eager to watch the entire movie and I am sure there are so many bits that I missed whilst watching it on TV, watching this show over and over will be a treat. I hope you enjoy it as well and it brings a smile to your face and makes your day happy. I'm my opinion its a pity that all the Hollywood hype means that a lot of sub-standard USA shows make it to the big time in the box office. This Mortadelo movie proves the world is a bigger and better place than just Hollywood. Thanks. Bill.

Mortadelo & Filemon's first film (and may be not the last because it's going to be a success) is just great. Transforming the comic into a movie was a really hard job, but Javier Fesser has accomplished it very well; the comic's gags, humour and constant violence is here, helped by convincing and hilarious special effects (there are many!); it's a mix between Fesser's humour (shown in El Milagro de P. Tinto) and Francisco Ibáñez one.The comics are quite known, specially around Europe, and of course, in Spain. However, whether you know them or not, it doesn't matter because its fun for everyone, all ages! The movie isn't based in any of the comics, but takes several elements from their first long comic, El Sulfato Atomico (1968), but there are many other references. Benito Pocino and Pepe Viyuela are excellent in their parts; Pocino doesn't perform. He IS Mortadelo. And he does his job fairly well. Viyuela isn't as similar as the comic's Filemon but has the exact psycology, and I think he does the best performance in the film. The other supporting actors, like Janfri Topera (as Prof. Bacterio) and Mariano Venacio (as the Superintendent), are almost identic, and you do really believe that it's the comic translated to the screen. Dominique Pinon plays Fredy Mazas, an invented character, hilariously.There are other funny characters like Rompetechos and the people in 13 Rue del Percebe, that have great cameos in this film. It is, as Francisco Ibáñez (the creator of the comic) said, the comic as a movie. It's really imaginative, with many original ideas and things (like Prof. Bacterio's cool inventions)Finally, must say that the special effects are simply amazing, and really believale (they don't look cheesy or fake), the best in spanish movies, and there are so many details that it's impossible to see them all if you see it only once; there are lots of gags and funny details that you won't notice at first sight, so look sharp!Very entertaining movie, you laugh your pants off ***1/2 of ****