I put a lot of thought into this review so that's why I took time.
Director Robert Rodriguez has a love affair with the gun. From slow tracking shots across the gun barrel to hundreds of bullets raining down upon the main actors, the gun is a leading character in hi films. "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" follows his vision of the superhuman Mariachi gunfighter from "Desperado" into the political intrigue of Mexican politics.
This time around "El Mariachi" (Banderas) is not the center of attention. He is the hammer that drives nails into the coffins of the bad guys. The person swinging the hammer is Agent Sands (Johnny Depp). Sands is a very well-connected man and has his fingers in the business of most of the people in the movie. He initiates the events of the movie for his own self motivated interests. Salma Hayek reprises her role as Carolina, the love of El's life. But her screen time is significantly smaller than in the first movie and it is done as flashbacks to motivate the actions of El. The rest of the cast is filled out by Willem Dafoe, Mickey Rourke, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Enrique Iglesias, several other veteran actors and a hoard of cannon fodder. They all do a good job of supporting the action when the camera falls upon them.
The main problem is that the plot reaches the action in an unorganized way. Agent Sands drags the movie in strange directions and Carolina is shown exclusively in flashbacks. Rodriguez has a lot of story to tell with double crosses, vendettas, power grabs and a host of other motivations for the characters. Sands, instead of being a puppet master, is more of an obnoxious road hump that you just have to drive over to get to the rest of the movie.
Fortunately, the rest of the movie is a lot of fun. The action happens consistently throughout the movie and while occasionally over the top, is still enjoyable to watch. There are some moments of more graphic content than there were in "Desperado," so people with weaker stomachs beware.
Who should see this movie? If you liked "Desperado" you should enjoy "Once Upon a Time in Mexico". This sequel is not as good as the first, but it has most of the same elements in place. If you are looking for a return of the burning romance between Hayek and Banderas then you will need to go rent "Desperado" and watch it again. Hayek is on screen for only a few minutes - good character motivation minutes - just not the steamy romance part. Action is the name of the game and those seeking a nice mindless night at the movies should be very pleased. The twisting plot could have provided a nice level of suspense but the convoluted nature of it just hampered the flow of the movie. Replace Johnny Depp with a ten year old kid that says "The bad guys are that way" and you have a better movie.
It is a good end of summer film. The last of this year's shoot-'em-ups before the lull proceeding the Christmas Oscar movie marathon. If you can sit back and enjoy the fancy gun work, you should enjoy the movie.
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"You can get further with a kind word and a gun, than just a kind word" - Al Capone
Yes, you did, and I think you did very well in your review. As for me, I thought the movie was okay. I like Robert's style, and his humor is pretty good too, but the story was not that great and his last two movies with the "Mexican with no name" are not even close to El Mariachi's level. I hated that Salma was not in it. Eva Mendes was pretty hot, but they hardly showed her, so there are no real sexy females to watch kick butt. Depp is always classic. Antonio is a pretty gay actor, but he does all right in this role cause he does not have to talk. Overall, I give this movie a high C. Sorry Robert Rodriguez, you still don't have your hit. Wait till this Friday and watch your buddy Quentin blow up the box office without breaking a sweat.
I could have sworn I read that review published at another website.
__________________ Do not go gentle into that good night my lovely
Rage, Rage...
Against the dyin' of the light
For there shall be no mercy...
For any force that stands...
Blocking this path of his righteousness
I had high expectations for this movie and it let me down. Johnny Depp, Antonio Banderas, and Salma Hayek together? Wow! That sounds really good right? Well, they are great but the plot and script, I think, was pretty stupid.
Yo WTF, Salma Hayek, how long was she in that movie. I recall her being in like 4 scenes. She can't even really be considered a co-star or even a star cus she wasn't in the film that long.
I kinda was disappointed with this movie, yeah the action scenes were good and entertaining but the plot was weak and not to meantioned some of the characters that El Mariachi killed in this movie or were killed in this movie were also killed in Desperado, ie. Danny Trejo and Cheech Marin, the owner of the bar in the first scene, Micky Rourkes character was insignificant not like the tough guy character he usually plays, i thought it was also stupid that they made Johnny Deep blind and i thought the movie was gonna come down to a big gun fight between El Mariachi and Agent Sands, plus they killed Salma Hayeks character without giving a background story as to why there was a rivalry bewtween El and Marquez, godd action scenes but weak storyline!
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"A lie, Mr. Mulder, is most convincingly hidden between two truths." Deep Throat.
just saw this movie yesterday on my computer. i must say that i was a bit disspointed for the movie wasn't as good as i thought it would be. most of the action and gun fights were spectacular! esp. when banderas leapt off the balcony in a church scene backwards while shooting at someone than twisted in the air to land perfectly. also, when johnny depp's character sands fought although he was blind.
anyways...since i have never seen the director's other movies and desperado, this movie's story got a bit confusing for me. not just el mirachi's flashbacks. i like the way the guy's have different ways of hiding their guns in their gutair cases. it was a bit weird, the fake arm that sands used. also, his strange obession with puerco pibil dish. i mean shooting the chef is a bit crazy. some of his disguises were a little silly. esp. his reverend one. when he was dressed normal, at one point he was wearing these faint colored shorts. at first, i was thought he was walking around in his boxers, no less in public! i was like "what the hell?! put some clothes on man!"
at first when i saw pix and trailers for this movie, i couldn't understand why johnny depp/sands had black stuff streaking down from his eyes. now having seen the movie, i realized it's blood. how horrific the way those bad people tortured people by goring their eyes like that. i thought it was cool and noble when sands still tried to get about and fight off his enemies although he couldn't see. loved his black leather outfit! ('cause it looked cool)
i watched the special features, they showed the director talking about how to make that dish sands's liked, how to make movies cheaply, and stuff was quite interesting. cleared up a few things about the movie and it's prequels. he has such a cool house! the studio is part of his house! he showed how to create background music with a keyboard that was hella sick! the way you can layer tunes into one..makes me want to learn how.
well, all in all, the story and movie couldn've used a bit more work. more to support the characters, more depth to them, mainly is what i wanted to see more of. esp. johnny's character. so i give this movie about 2 to 3 stars. Some for the choice cast and some for the action.
Gender: Female Location: On the Island with JACK!!!!
I for one loved this movie... i don't know why. maybe cuz the first one was better and i didn't see it so i just thought this one was good. johnny was hot though.... isn't he always. i think you should see it n e ways so you can have you oppinion on it
__________________ ~*!If you believe your dreams you can do anything~ Fly to the moon or go to another world~ But always remember theres no place like home~ !*~
Loves Pirates of the Caribbean
You know i have to say i was dissapointed and pleased with this movie all at the same time. when i first went to see this movie i wasnt expecting a Spoof. I was expecting another addition onto the el mariuch series. i know alot of people diddnt like this movie, they always say it was a bad story with unorganized action. Well this movie was a spoof on desperado, and rodriguz's and tarrentino's friendship. The movie hinted to the fact that it could achieve fantastic action, but totally does a 180 right before delivering and instead gives us a joke. I enjoyed the movie for it's sarcasim and originality, but was ultimately dissapointed because i was expecting another gun toten kill em all mexican action movie, but instead got a mediocre spoof. Another thing i felt while watching the movie is that the people involved included alot of inside jokes in the action and comedy, but it is ejoyable for a nice laugh
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(sig by Scythe)
KMC Community Forums
Oct 8th, 2003 05:13 AM
i was like "what the hell?! put some clothes on man!" 
the way you can layer tunes into one..makes me want to learn how. 
