Review of Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) by Michael Y — 19 May 2011

Robert Rodriguez finnishes his Mariachi Trilogy in Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Though as action packed as ever, this movie isn't as fun when it's story and focus goes all over the place.

Old El Mariachi; new mission of revenge. With Johnny Depp now part of the Rodriguez gang, he stars as a CIA agent planning to bring down a ruthless military leader and a drug kingpin. As a revolution is rising and the Mexican president's life is at stake, the CIA agent calls for El Mariachi's assistance because he known that he has a score to settle with the military leader. Once Upon a Time in Mexico's plot is waaaay more complex than El Mariachi and Desperado. And though it's nice to see an attempt to make a bigger and more important story, the focus is all over the place in this movie. You see the story of The CIA agents, a former FBI, The President's view, Mickey Rourke and Willem Defoe's characters. This movie is a tangled web of intentions and actions, but barely focuses on the main character that we care about, El Mariachi. Though not complete without its sick and violently twisted moments, but Once Upon a Time in Mexico just doesn't have the same story formula that made the previous 2 so fun.

Like always, Rodriguez's style is clearly noticed in this movie. And he hasn't lost his touch one bit, even after 8 years since Desperado. Rodriguez knows how to create stylistic action and violence as well as great moments of chills and suspence. And this movie is full of all that. Great cinematography and great moments of suspence keeps this movie on its feet the whole time. It's the style that counts, and Rodriguez creates another action movie like only he can. And like in the other 2 Mariachi movies, there are plenty of memorable moments. And like the other 2 movies there are very bizaar and fun acts of violence, weapons and explosions.

Though Rodriguez's style hasn't lost its touch, the story is too much. Once Upon a Time in Mexico becomes a mess of story that focuses too much on the action and less on the characters we care about to give this movie true heart. But if you're a Rodriguez fan then be sure to check this movie out.