'The Agency' - Martin Carr's Reel Reviews

[@garythomas1047]

Thanks for such a great review-really helpful as I decide what to watch next! Just curious, are you planning to review The Return with Ralph Fiennes? Would love to hear your thoughts on it!"

[@martincarrjournalist]

Hi Gary, I watched a trailer for The Return only last week, but will need to chase up PR's / studio connections. Due to the nature of film criticism, unless a large publication or site commissions you to cover a certain title, access is a stealth exercise! I will definitely look into it though! Big thank you for the support and fire over any other ideas / retro reviews you would like to see. The films behind me in the video are the real deal, no green screen involved :-)

[@tvgerbil1984]

It was pretty good, in my opinion. Many would be disappointed though that it didn't start with car chases, explosions and people dying all over the place in the first episode.

[@martincarrjournalist]

Completely agree with you there. What I think The Agency is attempting to do is go against the grain and make audiences really work for their entertainment. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@DelAoc]

Fassbender's Martian reminded me a bit of Burton's Alec Leamas in The Spy Who Came In from the Cold. Good stuff.

[@martincarrjournalist]

I was watching an old Richard Burton interview with Kenneth Tynan yesterday as a matter of fact. The Agency certainly has overtones of those classic Cold War espionage thrillers, but it needs to throw the audience something to cling to at least. I am in for the full run and will be reviewing every episode for CBR (Comic Book Resources) in the coming weeks. Be sure to check them out if you like.

[@SzymonAdamus]

I find it SOOO hyper stylised, like a spy-story-on-steroids that it's realy funny to watch. Every scene is 300% serious, every shot is very disturbing and, in some way, unpleasent. I guess they are going for representation of spiec paranoia, and it works. But it's also SO MUCH of it, and all of it seems highly theatrical, that it can easily be red as a pastiche. Very strange this one :)

[@martincarrjournalist]

Hi, I really think they are intentionally making The Agency a challenging watch. All the conventional footholds that audiences look for in an espionage thriller are missing. The performances are low-key to the point of feeling theatrical, especially with the embassy, and they really expect people to work for their entertainment. No easy, but ultimately rewarding I think.

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

It was interesting.

[@martincarrjournalist]

I think it will find its feet and reward those who are willing to stick with it.

[@lcmlcm2460]

I love spy shows like Homeland, The Americans, Cobra, Berlin Station, etc…. I watched the first episode of The Agency and I thought it was boring 😢. I might try it again but not a good sign. THANKS ❤

[@martincarrjournalist]

I think it is a little slow, and lacking atmosphere, but by the same token, I think sticking with it will pay dividends. It is muted and low-key similar to The Killer on Netflix

[@VoicesEnEspanol]

I love all those spy shows. I did think the pilot episode of The Agency was boring but hopefully it will pick up the pace as the season goes. I highly recommend the original series in French called The Bureau. It's really good.

[@stephenhowe1871]

Way too slow I lost interest retried a few times but keep losing interest… very boring

[@jeravincer]

Americans in London aren't really the same as French people in Paris (like the original) ... the acting is very flat ... Americans within an American institution don't have the same warmth and nuance that the original French cast was able to deliver. Also the French Bureau in its intel agencies simply has no US counterpart ... that said, first two eps are very solid - great acting and directing ... enjoying it a lot.

[@martincarrjournalist]

Having watched the fourth episode I can honestly say that things certainly kick up a notch, and my hope is that it continues to improve over time. Chances are with a renewal for Season 2 already confirmed, this is certainly the case! My thanks for watching and taking the time to leave a constructive and informed opinion. 😀 P.S. - I am doing weekly episode reviews for CBR if you are curious....

[@jeffreyhalbrook4946]

I felt the show was lacking on so many levels. And I believe it had a lot of resemblance of woke ism in there, possibly dei stuff going on. Then I saw a little more and realized that george clooney is one of the producers. After seeing that my decision was made, I won't be continuing to watch it

[@martincarrjournalist]

Hi Jeffrey, for my money, this show still has the potential to be an interesting watch, and Clooney rarely gets involved in something without substance. I still believe The Agency is worth sticking around for..it is a shame you are moving on to pastures new.

[@FullyVers]

Simply put; it was boring.

[@martincarrjournalist]

It was a touch clinical I agree, but The Killer didn't set the world on fire. The Agency is only getting warmed up I think

[@MGBranco]

Kind of boring...you are going to sleep if you're tired... Maybe try it on a Sunday just before dinner... Not after lunch otherwise... Zzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzz...but could be go a bit later...

[@martincarrjournalist]

Big thank you for commenting and jumping in on this! I agree the first two episodes are slow, but I think The Agency is really asking its audience to work. Over the next few episodes I am sure things will pick up. I am doing episode reviews for CBR on this show, so will be watching through to the end!

[@alobo9937]

Snorefest...

[@martincarrjournalist]

I think this is a slow burn and The Agency isn't helped by building character and relying on atmospherics in those first two episodes, rather than hitting the ground running. But, I does feel more European in that sense, meaning that I think people should stick around and give it more time. Still rate this show for the long run fans out there.