Once Upon A Time In Mexico

  Plot Summary

The legendary hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), is living in solitude in a small Mexican town. He is tracked down by Sands (Johnny Depp) a corrupt CIA agent. Sands sends his henchmen to force El Mariachi into co-operating with him. The CIA agent knows that there is a plot to assassinate the Mexican President and to take over the country. El Mariachi is needed to make sure that this doesn't happen. When El Mariachi hears that a certain military leader is working for the drug baron, Barrillo, to overthrow the president his past catches up with him. He now has personal reasons for getting involved...

Review

This is the third "El Mariachi" story.  The first movie was El Mariachi, 1992 then came Desperado, 1995 and now we have Once Upon A Time In Mexico. Directed by Robert Rodriguez the movies have a "spaghetti western" feel, not unlike Clint Eastwood's "the-man-with-no-name" trilogy. These movies have a kind of cult following and audiences seem to either love or hate them. Once Upon A Time In Mexico is no different. On one hand it is ridiculously silly and makes little or no sense but on the other, it has a kind of "coolness" with a quirkiness that is fundamental to cult movies.

There are loads of different characters and sub-plots (including flashbacks) which have to be brought together but this movie is chaotic and uneven and the story bumps along from scene to scene. It is certainly unpredictable as, at times, it is difficult to know what is happening let alone know what is going to happen!  This story of revolution and revenge is full of over-the-top bloody shootouts with a streak of dark humour running through it.

Antonio Banderas is the fast shooting, guitar-playing, hero, "El Mariachi" but the nasty, bizarre character Sands, the corrupt CIA agent, is the most fascinating. He is offensive but it is hard not to have a sneaky liking for him. Johnny Depp, who has a penchant for playing strange characters, gives this character the necessary eccentricity to made him interesting.

Lasting thought: When asked what he wants most, El Mariachi  replies "Freedom".  The person who asked the question says "Simple" and he says remorsefully "No".

The Bottom Line: This is the type of quirky movie that some will love and most will hate.  For me it is just a bit too silly.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2003

Genre: Action/Adventure

Certificate: 15's

Director: Robert Rodriguez

~ Main Cast ~

Antonio Banderas

Johnny Depp

Salma Hayek

Ruben Blades

Willem Dafoe

Enrique Iglesias

Marco Leonardi

Mickey Rourke

RATING

ONLY IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO