Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)

7/10

MovieLuvaMatt30 April 2004

Like "Desperado," the film offers nonstop action and a gargantuan body count. Robert Rodriguez knows how to please his audience, and the movie does work for the most part. As expected in a Rodriguez film, the action scenes are very well-choreographed and all possess a certain slickness and originality. Johnny Depp steals the show in his supporting role, and seems to be having the most fun. I actually looked at him as more of an action hero than Antonio Banderas. Then again, Banderas seems to be going through the motions. After all, he has played roles of this type many times before and is probably almost bored. I like how most of the movie is in subtitles. As I heard in the commentary, the reason for that was because most of the cast only spoke Spanish. But I'd rather see Mexican characters speaking in their native language, and having to read the subtitles, than them speaking in a second language that they obviously haven't mastered totally. Hollywood appears to have a fear of subtitles, and it's a stupid fear. Now onto what I didn't like about the movie...I'm not exaggerating when I say that it has nonstop violence. I'm not one of these people who gets bothered by excessive violence, but after a while all that action and killing can get a little dull. You just sit there waiting for the next body to fall to the ground. The story isn't non-existent, but I think if Rodriguez paid a little more attention to developing characters and story, his films might be even more interesting. But altogether, I was entertained. You don't view a film like this in the same way you view a Kubrick film. So what you see is what you get.

My score: 7 (out of 10)

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4/10

Messy

Sevenmercury722 April 2007

I think this will be remembered as Rodriguez's vanity project, a film so indulgent it makes a strong case for studio control. Its narrative is feeble, its caricatures squeezed into the plot, and even much of the action is repetitive. Rodriguez is an inventive filmmaker, but he's certainly no artist, as this, the third part of his personal Mariachi trilogy, proves.

Of the cast, Ruben Blades is good as an ex-FBI agent persuaded to avenge his partner, while Johnny Depp steals the film from just about everyone, including the director. The rest of this bloodbath is pretty much a bore. Banderas' character is reduced to an extremely silly comic book hero - more interested in his guitar than he is of avenging his woman (a redundant cameo from Salma Hayek).

Rodriguez intended this as his Leone trilogy, but as over the top as those Dollars films were, there was more gravitas in one frame than in the whole of this daft pastiche.

Overstuffed and very silly, this is a disappointing effort.

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8/10

Over-the-top, Even more so than the first 2 films

emperor_bender5 May 2008

First there was "El Mariachi", an over-the-top, low-budget, fun film. Then there was "Desperado", an even more over-the-top, higher-budget, fun film. Now, there's "Once Upon a Time In Mexico", a ridiculously over-the-top, high-budget fun film.

The plot here is very knotted and confusing, but still very good. As far as I can figure, it is about a man who has ruined El Mariachi's life, General Marquez, and his plan to kill the president. An FBI Agent is out to stop him, so he hires El Mariachi and various other people.

Now for the cast: all were excellent.

Antonio Banderas made a thrilling return as El Mariachi. Salma Hayek also makes a fun return as Carolina. Johnnny Depp plays a funny, interesting, and colorful Agent Sands, the FBI agent who hires El Mariachi. Danny Trejo was great as Cucuy, Sands' tail on El Mariachi. Cheech Marin was fitting for the part of Belini, the informant who gives Sands his intel. Ruben Blades was EXCELLENT as Jorge Ramirez, the retired FBI agent brought back to the force by Sands (unofficially anyway). El Mariachi's friends, Lorenzo (Enrique Iglesias), and Fideo (Marco Leonardi) were interesting. Eva Mendes was even not-terrible as the agent Ajedrez. Pedro Armendáriz Jr. gave a decent performance as the president. And Julio Oscar Mechoso was good as the president's adviser.

Now for the bad guys: Willem Dafoe gives a very evil performance as Barillo, who hired Marquez to kill the president. Mickey Rourke was extraordinary as Billy Chambers, Barillo's right-hand man. Gerardo Vigil was great as General Marquez as well.

The special effects here were 1st rate and came in handy a lot. There were many good action scenes and the comedy was well placed and funny.

The music score was decent also.

Over all, fans of "El Mariachi" and "Desperado" will enjoy "Once Upon a Time in Mexico"

8/10

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El Mariachi makes a pleasant return

wellthatswhatithinkanyway16 October 2003

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

A follow up to the Desperado film was not something I was expecting.So it came as a shock to see this third instalment in the El Mariachi series being made.But a pleasant surprise it is.It is high on sweltering Mexican style,with impressive camera style and angles.There is a complex and engaging story to follow,complimented by some riveting action scenes and classy dialogue.On the performances front,Antonio Banderas continues to personify Mariachi,with Salma Hayek well cast as his love interest and good support from Johnny Depp,Mickey Rourke and William Dafoe,not to mention the bodacious Eva Mendes.A wholly worthwhile venture.***

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Muy caliente!

george.schmidt16 September 2003

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (2003) *** Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, Salma Hayek, Mickey Rourke, Ruben Blades, Eva Mendes, Willem Dafoe, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Leonardi, Gerardo Vigil, Pedro Armendariz Jr., Julio Oscar Mechoso, Tito Larriva. Wunderkind Robert Rodriguez' grand finale - Sergio Leone-style - of his South of the Border trilogy of El Mariachi, the lone assassin for hire cum renegade (Banderas once again) who is out for revenge (natch) for the murder of his beloved (the achingly gorgeous Hayek in flashbacks) while being hired' by gonzo-crazed CIA man Depp (in Walken mode) involving a corrupt federale (the heavenly femme fatale Mendes), a retired FBI agent (Blades) and a nasty presidente-wanna-be madman (Dafoe in heavy bronzer) resulting in a digital bloodbath with flying corpses, gravity defying stunts (and women to boot!) and much tongue-thru-cheek take-no-prisoners guerilla filmmaking Rodriguez has made a trademark for (writing, chopping' and directing) with more of the same to the nth degree. Bloody good carnage and suspension of disbelief should be checked at the door. And for the record: that is Rourke's own Chihuahua.

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Rodriguez serves up a mess...

paul-bissette9 March 2004

I am a fan of Robert Rodriguez's previous offerings of El Mariachi and the wonderful Desperado. Here he once more returns to the same character as portrayed in the two earlier outings but this time seems to miss the mark by a country mile. Although the first two movies were simple 'revenge' films which served to give the shoot-outs their purpose; this movie tries to embellish this idea with a few sub-plots which frankly just don't work. I was bored throughout and even though he returns with his trademark comic-book violence, this time round it just seemed to be one big yawn-fest.

I had no interest in any of the characters, I am madly in love with Salma Hayek but frankly here I could care less about her character. Banderas does fill the screen when on but sadly, it just isn't enough to lift this movie above more than mere average.

Sorry Robert, if a bigger budget means we have to suffer this, then please go back to the low budget movies that made your name, in those you were brilliant; here, merely less than average.

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7/10

Wait For The End!!

marcelik10 December 2005

Once Upon A Time In Mexico is good, but not as strong as Desperado. Our hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas) barely has any lines. Throughout the movie we forget this talented actor is the star of the movie. The explosive action is incredible, and including Sands (Johnny Depp) is the only thing worth raving about. Depp's role is actually the best part of this movie. Salma Hayek's role has been chopped to flashbacks, so there is not a lot of crazy Action and Romance between Banderas and her. You want Antonio Banderas to save the day and he does, but this Sequel did not give him that fire. Eva Mendes is in about 4 scenes but does a great job including the rest of the cast (Ruben Blades, Cheech Marin, Mickey Rourke, Willem Dafoe, and Enrique Iglesias). It would have been nice to hear some hot new songs from Enrique Iglesias for the soundtrack but I am more than satisfied with Salma Hayek's "Siente Mi Amor". It is an incredible Spanish track, worth watching the entire credits!

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Sporadically enjoyable but the plot is a total shambles

bob the moo30 September 2003

El Mariachi has long quit the gunslinger trade but is offered a chance to avenge the death of his wife and daughter by slightly unhinged CIA agent Sands. Sands is trying to control a coup by allowing it to happy but then having the victor killed as soon as he takes power. However the involvement of drug lord Barillo and various other groups soon complicate matters causing bullets to come from all sides.

After taking an unlikely trilogy to box office success, Rodriguez returns to the film series that basically brought him the success he has today El Mariachi. While the first film in the series was a very cheap movie, the second and the third swelled with budget and star names. Here the action is constant and is very stylised. This is not to say that it is all edge of the seat stuff, but if spectacle and bangs is all you are after then this should do the job nicely. None of it moves slowly simply because it has more than enough going on to fill the time but that's the problem to be honest.

The plot has so much going on but none of it actually fits together or makes a whole lot of sense. After a while any attempt to put things together in my head became a wasted effort clearly the point here was that the style and gloss was meant to be everything. The other downside to this is that some characters are so poorly used that it's a wonder as to why they were even written in. Some cameos are fantastic and make the film. I refer to, of course, Depp, who, for the second time this summer, manages to make a film better by his sheer witty performance. He owes a lot to the writing of the character but he carries him off superbly and is darkly funny. However Rouke, Blades, Mendes, Dafoe all have little to do and, with some of them, are just clutter. Banderas does his usual stuff with style but his character doesn't have the depth that the flashbacks I think are meant to give him again this is style over substance.

I still quite enjoyed the film but couldn't help but feel it was less the sum of it's parts. With a budget, big names and lots of action I was surprised that the cluttered, shambolic plot managed to take away from the `fun' as much as it did but it did. Quite enjoyable but you need a LOT of style to win compensate for the total lack of substance.

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5/10

All flash and no substance. Rather dull to be fully honest.

callanvass1 April 2011

Credit IMDb. In this sequel to 'Desperado', a Mexican drug lord pretends to overthrow the Mexican government, and is connected to a corrupt CIA agent who at that time, demands retribution from his worst enemy to carry out the drug lord's uprising against the government.

This had a couple of good action sequences, but other then that, and a big wasted cast, its all flash and no substance. Favorite sequence was the action scene in the Church. Salma Hayek's presence was sorely missed.

Performances Antonio Banderas is decent, but his reprising of his role is kind of by the numbers. Johnny Depp is the best thing about this movie by far. Salma Hayek is barely in the movie. Rourke, Mendes, Trejo are all under used. Cheech Marin's role is fun.

Bottom line. I wasn't that fussy on this trilogy, overblown and dull in my opinion. Worth a rental but that's it.

5/10

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4/10

all flash, little substance

Buddy-5117 August 2005

With "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," director Robert Rodriguez returns to his "El Mariachi" roots - but unlike the prodigal son, this particular homecoming provides little cause for celebration. Rodriguez' signature style is visual inventiveness combined with wise guy humor and cartoon violence. The problem is that his films rarely have the depth of content to go along with all that directorial razzmatazz. As a result, they tend to become little more than empty, cold exercises in style - and "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" is no exception.

The film is obviously intended as some sort of satire on the kind of governmental and political corruption that has plagued that North American country since the Spaniards first set foot on Mexican soil. The messy, overcomplicated plot involves a vicious drug cartel's planning to stage a coup d'etat against the current government, and a murderous CIA agent's working behind the scenes pulling the strings of all the parties involved. Just trying to keep all the plot lines and characters straight requires a program and a score card. Antonio Banderas heads an all-star cast that includes Salma Hayek, Mickey Rourke, Enrique Iglesias, Cheech Marin, Willem Dafoe and Ruben Blades, but the only person who gets to do any real ACTING is Johnny Depp as the gringo CIA agent, but even he is reduced to self-mimicry after awhile. Moreover, the tone of the film is so dispassionate, so flip and arch that we find ourselves completely detached from what's taking place on screen.

"Once Upon a Time in Mexico" is one of those films in which the actors spend most of their time winking at the camera to let us know that they're in on the joke, and the director performs somersaults with his camera to keep reminding us of just how "cool" and "with it" he is. Unfortunately, all style and no substance makes Robert a very dull filmmaker.

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4/10

'Once Upon a Time in Mexico'

rah60423 April 2004

A scene-stealing Johnny Depp, can't save this bad excuse for a movie. The sexy and superb Salma Hayek, blown-up and showcased on the movie poster, has a screen time of only about seven minutes, which makes a really good case of false advertising in the Hollywood film industry. Antonio Banderas, way past his prime, once again plays the Mariachi. The Mariachi joins Sands, a CIA Agent, on a mission to foil an assassination attempt on the Mexican president.

In a world where filmmakers are content on releasing poor sequels in order to cash in, 'Mexico' is no exception. The plot seems to lack any real sense. It feels like something that Robert Rodriguez wrote in his sleep. The direction is uneven and consequently the movie proves to be more ridiculously lame than stylish.

Rating: (4/10)

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6/10

Fun But Sometimes Too Cheesy And Idiotic

christian12312 July 2005

Once Upon a Time in Mexico is sometimes enjoyable to watch but it gets a little cheesy and idiotic. Haunted and scarred by tragedy, El Mariachi has retreated into a life of isolation. He is forced out of hiding when Sands, a corrupt CIA agent, recruits the reclusive hero to sabotage an assassination plot against the president of Mexico, which has been conceived by the evil cartel kingpin, Barillo. But El Mariachi also has his own reasons for returning--blood revenge. The desperado returns with his two capable cohorts Lorenzo and Fideo. And the legend of El Mariachi reaches new heights of adventure. The first two were good but I felt that this sequel wasn't really needed. This film is pretty much plot less as it was just a bunch of different action sequences. The story was weak and it seemed like this film was only run by star power and gory action scenes. It works a little for this film since the actors on screen actually do a good enough job. Not all the actors are strong though but most of the important characters are. Antonio Banderas did a pretty good job which is surprising since I don't really like him. Salma Hayek was pretty good eye candy but gave only a mediocre performance. Johnny Depp gives a really good and funny performance. He probably did the best and he was really entertaining to watch on screen. Eva Mendes isn't in the movie very much and even though she usually is pretty good, I couldn't stand her this time. There are also a lot of other smaller roles played by talented actors like Danny Trejo and Willem Dafoe. Robert Rodriguez does a good job of directing really gory action but pretty much leaves out everything else such as character development. The action is done well and its pretty entertaining to watch. The film is very gory well not over the top gory but it sometimes becomes unnecessary. The movie is cheesy as the story is kind of dumb and so is the dialog. The film doesn't really get dull though as the 100 minutes running time feels short. This isn't really a film worth watching but its somewhat of a fun experience. In the end, this may be worth checking out on video as long as you don't want a good story but just gory action. Rating 6.8/10

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Rebel Without A Story

teddyryan2 December 2003

Roberto Rodriguez prides himself on making movies cheap and quick. In fact, the original mastermind of Cuban cartel cinema pumped out two additional moneymakers this year: SPY KIDS 2 and SPY KIDS 3D.

And, as for his latest presentation, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, it features a wonderful performance by Johnny Depp and a few cleverly scripted scenes.

Unfortunately, the movie's main character, the legendary El Mariachi (played by Antonio Banderas), is a complete bore. Yes, he plays guitar and has long hair and that was cool the first time but please--make him interesting! Therefore, when we're not watching Johnny, we're wishing we were.

Furthermore, what's up with the digital camera? A terrible choice by the director. Especially when you look at highly blown out shot of Sands (Depp) going to shoot the cook.

As a result, I ask Roberto to stop manufacturing half baked eye candy and to give us a story that will resonate.

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8/10

You need to see this two or three times...

I_Broke_A_Shoelace_This_30 July 2005

...not because it is a piece of cinematography at it's best but simply because you will need to see it two or three times to actually understand the basic plot of the movie (even though I enjoyed watching it immensely).

The main thing that will draw people to watch this movie will be the fact that it has Johnny Depp, Antonio Banderas, Willem Dafoe, Salma Hayek, Eva Mendes, Enrique Iglesias...and many more famous names in it. Although I must admit that some of them should have been given bigger parts or else have been left out altogether.

I did enjoy watching this movie but it doesn't make sense the first time around...there is so much going on that the audience often feels as if trying to figure everything out will cause their brains to overheat. up are still a definite factor, however, As Johnny Depp lends his style and talents to the character of corrupt C.I.A agent, Sheldon Jeffrey Sands(he even came up with the 'sheldon Jeffrey' part of the name) even though the part was originally written for Quentin Tarantino. And praise is much deserved of Enrique Iglesias who plays the opinionated but still very loyal Lorenzoand also Eva Mendes who plays Agent Ajedrez with edge and darkness.

This film is very much one for people who are fans of explosions and action but not for those who like well-written plots. I did enjoy this movie and I think Robert Rodriguez has impeccable style even if he doesn't present it well in some instances.

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4/10

Takes stylization to the extreme

PenOutOfTime3 April 2007

"Once Upon a Time in Mexico" shows off Robert Rodriguez's affinity for comic books to a fault, displaying enormous style, and liberally dousing the film in charismatic violence, but this comic book connection is so prominent that the film fails to make an impact in its own medium. Most of the characters have great conceptual appeal, but this possibility is never fully realized with the detailing that connects the audience to the characters. This lack is further nurtured by Antonio Banderas, who as usual coasts on his looks, serving as a fleshly puppet for dialog and action sequences.

Unrealistic, albeit imaginative action further serves to isolate the viewer from the story. The plot is actually quite worthy for a pure action film of this type, although it is sufficiently complex that some viewers would only be further annoyed.

Overall, this is not an terrible movie, but rather, is a movie that is sufficiently stylized that it would appeal most to a young audience (problematic with its R rating).

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Fear and Loathing in Mexico

tedg17 September 2003

Warning: Spoilers

Spoilers Herein.

What energy! Not only in the multiple roles of the filmmaker, but in the rush in which images are served.

I'm more a Tarkovsky than Eisenstein man, so this isn't really the kind of thing that profoundly moves me. Tarkovskyites use the camera to explore and wonder, while Eisensteiners rely on the composition of edits. No one glance means anything: the assembly of images is all. The art is in the chop.

Rodriguez would have us believe that Leone is the template here, but Leone only supplies style: the real template is a sort of turbulent journalism. That's why Depp is placed amongst the Hispanic players: to be the eye that assembles. He brings his Hunter Thompson sensibilities, or at least those he can invent in our minds.

Those eyes destroy, just like his tongue destroys the cook when it discovers excellence. The key notion here is to create a world slightly more complex than what is shown so that it all has to be assembled by guesses -- even down to the hundreds of incomplete little bits that comprise the actions scenes.

Depp is already such an icon that he pull the whole center of a film from what we expect to where the director wants to place it. Cool.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

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6/10

Femme Fatale : Eva Mendes, Movie : Good but not Great!

Gerrit-KvdH24 September 2005

Warning: Spoilers

My Overall view after watching this moving was 2 things : One : The Perfect "Femme Fatale" in Eva Mendes.

Two : Antonio Banderas played his role well but the overall movie was, worth a 6.0 or 5.8 points rating.

As for Miss. Mendes i recommend a second part of the film "Cat Women", I'd like Halle Berry Or Jessica Alba to play the "Top-Role" in the Movie.

With Mendes as her Enemy and with Ex-Odyssey 5 Star Leslie Silva Or Rosario Dawson as Sidekick to the "Evil" Miss Mendes.

But that for later i was just impressed by her well let's say "Striking" Way to Outfox Johnny Depp.

Although in the end she got what she deserved, she impressed me.

Depp himself played a very good role, setting every body against themselves and running the show, but like i said Mendes outfoxed him.

As for The Hole Movie, The Role Antonio Banderas played was good, he took revenge for the death of his Wife (Salma Hayek).

Enrique Iglesias, did OK but i'm not sure whether he should be an actor.

Here's my take on the movie :

The evil Barillo and General Marquez try to take over Mexico, and are helped by the military. Barillo's tactical brilliance made his daughter (Eva Mendes) enter the army, and threw that she could help him, control the army, Mendes ho is using Johnny Depp to get her classified information finds out that he is trying to use her for a scam that will bring Depp a few million dollars! Mendes capture's him and because of Depp saw that Barillo (Ho everybody thought was dead)was alive, Depp's eyes were taken out, Depp seems no treat anymore.. but we all know how that finished!(The Ones ho watched the movie)

Agent Jorge FBI, goes undercover to try and get the truth behind what's going on in the "MOB-Bussiness", he teams up with ex-Mafia Mickey Rourke, ho is wanted in the US, Jorge know's that and uses Rourke's desire to get back the US, to find out more about Barillo and General Marquez's plans, he asks for Rourke's help because Barillo killed Jorge's best friend and Rourke agrees. In the end Jorge get's to deep and finds Barillo's body on a plastic surgery table completely covered with blood! Jorge tries to get out of the Hospital as soon as he can, but is stunned when he sees Barillo in front of him "Alive" in the steps. Agent Jorge then gets Knocked out by Barillo's daughter : Eva Mendes.

As the popularity of "El Presidente" seems to be dropping his "adviser" advises him to stay as much as he can in the presidential palace leaving the president thinking that the people of Mexico are trying to kill him!

The President questions the loyalty of his people, but in the end finds out that they are the only ones he can trust!

In the end Antonio Banderas shot General Marquez for brutally killing his wife (Salma Hayek) ho was pregnant, Hayek had a relationship with Marquez but then shot him in the head, Marquez didn't die and swore revenge. Helped by Enrique Iglesias, Banderas gets his revenge on Marquez.

Agent Jorge gets a showdown with Barillo, the man ho shot Jorge's best Friend and takes revenge.

In the end it seems like a movie about the "Mexican Liberation" with the main thing the plotting of a "Coe d'etat".

But overall i wasn't overly impressed as i have seen movie's about, Mexican Leberations before!

Greetings

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A mess of senseless violence

Gordon-1114 July 2008

This film is about a retired hit-man getting hired by an CIA agent to kill a Mexican general.

I can only say that "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" is a huge waste of the big stars. With the number of big names in it, it could have been a really big hit. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a senseless mess. The plot makes no sense, if it is understandable at all. It only serves as a reason to have gunshots fired at 100 bullets per minute in every minute of the film. I got so bored of gunshots by 20 minutes already, and I wish I just stopped watching it. I could have endured the film if it was as stylish as "From Dusk Til Dawn" or "300", but unfortunately this is just senseless violence.

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4/10

The Mariachi deserved more.

Pjtaylor-96-13804421 March 2021

'Once Upon A Time In Mexico (2003)' is an absolute mess. I mean, its plot is barely coherent. Seriously, I'd struggle to describe it right now and I only watched it last night. There are just so many moving parts and poorly explained twists, with most characters having hidden motives and midway changes of heart. Banderas' gunslinging guitar player and his journey for revenge get totally lost amidst a sea of ruthless - and potentially corrupt - CIA agents, local militias, drug cartels, plastic surgeons, FBI retirees and presidential protectors. It really doesn't do justice to the Mariachi character first seen in Rodriguez's debut feature. It feels rather amateur, in a way, and its digital cinematography simply seems 'cheap'. Even its action is disappointing, with far-too-fast editing and hard-to-follow choreography. The film just isn't all that fun. It's not terrible, but it sort of washes over you; nothing here has a proper impact. It's not boring, as such, but it's just so difficult to follow and generally uninspiring that you can't really care about anyone - or anything - you see on screen. It's disappointing. 4/10

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7/10

Ultra-Violent, Johnny Depp Vehicle

tabuno25 January 2019

14 September 2003. Johnny Depp actually takes this movie with his odd rogue CIA character using a serio-comic approach to his job while Salma Hayek plays an ancillary role and Antonio Banderas seems to get the opportunity to violently (though not graphically) pulverize his victims with revenge. A convoluted, slow evolving plot of revenge, this movie has dramatic killing scenes and a twist towards the end make this movie a somewhat tedious though intelligent action movie with artwork. This is a edgy, hard-knifed movie that seems to emphasize violence in a nasty and hard way that doesn't glorify its victims demise. A competent movie of intrigue and death with a good dose of wry humor thrown in. Seven out of Ten Stars

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Mildly entertaining in places but overall a disappointment.

TxMike3 November 2004

'El Mariachi' was so good and so novel that anything Rodriguez tries subsequent, in the same genre, is bound to be inferior. I generally like the approach here, the movie is mainly tongue-in-cheek. Banderas is good as the mariachi, and I loved the role Johnny Depp created. On the surface, it is funny when he shoots the chef as he leaves the restaurant, because the pork meal was so good, basically perfect, that there was no place to go. But just walking by and shooting him, when you think about it, is not funny, is just cruel. And that is what I have problem with, in this movie more than his others. People are shot and killed for no reasons, and while that is supposed to be part of the dark comedy, it just becomes another message of disrespect for human life.

As the movie went forward, I developed a really, really good dislike for the story. Good acting and filming, but poor movie, is my overall summary. The DVD has interesting extras, as Rodriguez is fond of, showing good behind-the-scenes glimpses of how he puts a movie together. He takes us into his garage turned sound and editing studio at his Austin home, and in that short 'extra' shows us how easy it has become for him, with modern technology, to do composing and sound editing, the ability to make a complete feature film virtually without help from typical outsider experts. The DVD, "10". The movie, "5".

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1/10

El Mariachi gets The Blues

extravaluejotter14 August 2006

Warning: Spoilers

This film is just woefully bad. Robert Rodriguez has squandered all the talent of his cast with a ludicrous retread of "El Mariachi" and "Desperado". "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" is nothing more than a string of action sequences interspersed with credulity-straining double-crosses.

If you like watching people kill each other while they make witty comments then you'll probably enjoy this film. However, you'd be better off watching "Desperado" which is much less silly and a far better movie.

Type the word "Pointless" into any search engine and you'll get 100 links to "Once Upon a Time in Mexico". That's how cruddy this film is. Just take my word for it. Watch "Desperado" instead. You'll thank me.

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1/10

An unmitigated piece of m**rda

billyfish2 August 2005

Warning: Spoilers

This is the biggest piece of garbage I've seen in a very long time. Idiotic, nonsensical, inconsistent plot; horrible dialogue; terrible acting; scenes that are comical when they are obviously supposed to be serious, and vice versa. Where do something like 50 motorcycles appear out of nowhere in a crowded but otherwise peaceful plaza? How does Antonio Banderas jump backwards from a 25-foot church loft and land softly on his feet facing the opposite way? Why do supposedly dangerous criminals stand motionless with weapons idly in hand while Banderas beats them silly in slow motion? Why would a retired FBI agent suddenly "activate" himself, then walk around in the street muttering to himself as if he were wearing a wire? If you have any respect at all for the laws of physics -- or good acting, or even mediocre film-making -- this film will offend you.

I've seen some real stinkers in my time, but with this kind of star power, you expect a whole lot better. I can understand why actor wannabes like Banderas, Mickey Rourke, and Enrique Iglesias (!!!) are in this pile of dung, but what on sweet Earth are accomplished actors like Willem Dafoe, Johnny Depp, and Ruben Blades doing here? They must have been sampling the goods of the ominous "Cartels" mentioned repeatedly with no apparent reason. There is not one shred of artistry in this loser, and it doesn't surprise me to read that Tarantino had a hand in it somewhere. Don't waste your time.

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5/10

TOO MUCH!!!!

ricoda-114 March 2004

Where can I start with this movie. Well first of all, the plot outline. In this movie there is way too much going on, revenge is the only thing we hear about. The only goal that isn't about revenge is that of Johnny Depp's. Which by the way gave the only good acting, I mean Willem Dafoe was practically dipped in chocolate to look like he did. I believe that the story could have been much better about a Mexican revolution and Johnny Depp trying to get the money. Instead, they put Inspector Gadget on steroids by having guns and bombs everywhere. Because I liked the main goal of the movie, getting the money when the government and guerilla are fighting, I give this movie a 5 out of 10 (very generous).

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5/10

Just TOOOO Much

ccthemovieman-15 October 2006

With directors like Robert Rodriguez, a little money is a bad thing.

When he had none, and made "El Mariachi," he made a great film. He then obtained a lot of money to make a sequel, "Desperado," which was still fun but way overdone in the violence, explosions, sex, etc., and the story lost what little credibility it had. Now comes the third installment which makes the last movie look believable in comparison to this farce.

This is REALLY ludicrous. This story is so stupid, with violence so overdone that it's past ridiculous. You can't even laugh at it, it's such an insult to even the dumbest person's intelligence. What a shame to waste the acting talents of some fun actors, too, like Johnny Depp, Cheech Marin, Eva Mendes, Mickey Rourke, etc. However, most of above-mentioned are whacked-out personalities anyway, so maybe they fit perfectly in a film like this. Forget about Selma Hayak: she's given good billing here but all of her scenes are flashbacks.

For the first hour, I could put up with the stupidity of this story solely because of the wild colors and stylish camera-work, but after an hour, this is just too much.....way too much.

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