Review of Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003) by Aaron N — 12 Jul 2009

Agent Sands: El, you really must try this because it's puerco pibil. It's a slow-roasted pork, nothing fancy. It just happens to be my favorite, and I order it with a tequila and lime in every dive I go to in this country. And honestly, that is the best it's ever been anywhere. In fact, it's too good. It's so good that when I'm finished, I'll pay my check, walk straight into the kitchen and shoot the cook. Because that's what I do. I restore the balance to this country.

The final chapter of the story involving the legendary guitar fighter. Putting an end to the Mariachi Trilogy, director Roobert Rodriguez lets Johnny Depp join the cast and makes us want a trilogy about his character. This movie is about having fun, but gets a kick out of its editing and assorted characters.

El Mariachi returns with the help of an all star cast, bringing back Antonio Banderas into his coolest role. Hayek is also back, but in a limited appearance, which doesn't mean she is not sexy enough. Adding to that sexiness is Eva Mendes. Then you have Willem Dafoe, Mickey Rourke, and Danny Trejo among others.

Lots of fun is to be had in this movie, especially if your in the right mood. El Mariachi is basically elevated to a completely mythic proportion, and that's just fine. The way this film is put together really doesn't lend itself to the real world, it exists in the "Mexploitation" that Rodriguez has perfected over time.

Adding to tihs is the soundtrack is a mix of epic scoring by Rodriguez and Mexican tunes, good stuff.

The plot is somewhat convoluted, but El Mariachi is pulled into a story that involves a Mexican Cartel, a vicious general, a corrupt CIA Agent, and various schemes for revenge and power. Its simple to follow if you pay attention, but the joy comes from Rodriguez's sweet action scenes, cool digital camera work, and rapid fire editing.

Sands: Oh yeah, things may get a wee bit dangerous there sugarbutt so... can you dig it?

A lot of the personal staples from the previous entries in the trilogy are still intact, even if the budget has become larger, and while I miss the Banderas-Hayek interactions, there is enough good stuff to make this an enjoyable flick. It also doesn't help that El Maricahi is almost more of a side character. However, this is made up for by the many entertaining characters, with Johnny Depp's wacky persona being the best of the bunch.

Agent Sands: You know that withholding vital information from a federal officer is a serious offense. Especially when that officer has paid handsomely for it and wouldn't think twice about ripping that patch off your eyehole and skull-fucking you to death.

A quality action flick made with Rodriguez's on-the-go style.

El Mariachi: Would you kill them?

Cucuy: Me?

[Points to his men].

Cucuy: They certainly would.

El Mariachi: Then I guess I have no choice... but to kill you all.