Review of Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) by Stuart K — 10 Aug 2010
The third act of Robert Rodriguez's Mariachi trilogy, made during a quick break between the first two Spy Kids films, it was good to see Rodriguez could still do some good action, but it's not perfect, and even El Mariachi feels like a supporting character in his own film, and there's alot of characters all round.
This starts with CIA Agent Sands (Johnny Depp) hiring El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas) to kill General Marquez (Gerardo Vigil). Marquez killed El's lover Carolina (Salma Hayek) and unborn child. Now, Marquez has been hired by drugs baron Armando Barillo (Willem Dafoe) to kill the Mexican President (Pedro Armendáriz Jr.
) in a military coup. Sands hires retired FBI Agent Jorge Ramirez (Rubén Blades) to go for Barillo, as Barillo killed Ramirez's partner. Come the day of action, nothing really goes to plan, and it's one playing against the other.
However, El Mariachi has brought a little help. There's so much going on in this film, it's hard to keep track of what is going on, it has flashbacks added too with Hayek. It's confusing, but it has some good moments peppered throughout.
It's a pity there wasn't enough of Banderas, but Depp is wonderful as always, and the supporting cast is rounded out with Eva Mendes, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Enrique Iglesias and Mickey Rourke.
This review of Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) was written by Stuart K on 10 Aug 2010.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico has generally received positive reviews.
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