Rodriguez's second feature may be a rambling, derivative exercise in gratuitous violence, but its determination to proceed as if the word 'restraint' never existed makes for gleeful entertainment.
Desperado (1995)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:39
Fresh:24
Rotten:15
Average Rating:6.4/10
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: Director Robert Rodriguez' sequel to his 1993 ultra low-budget movie, "El Mariachi." This film continues the story of the no-name, solitary, brooding mariachi, whose guitar case is stocked with... Director Robert Rodriguez' sequel to his 1993 ultra low-budget movie, "El Mariachi." This film continues the story of the no-name, solitary, brooding mariachi, whose guitar case is stocked with high-powered weaponry. The musician is in a sleepy Mexican town seeking revenge against the much-feared, ruthless Bucho, a drug dealer who once shot El Mariachi in his strumming hand, and killed his girlfriend. When Bucho hears that the guitarist is looking for him, he sends his men out to forestall the attack -- which leads to many well-choreographed and bloody shootouts. Will the Latin adversaries ever confront each other directly? And if so, who will survive? [More]
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Joaquim de Almeida, Steve Buscemi, Salma Hayek
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Joaquim de Almeida, Steve Buscemi, Salma Hayek, Quentin Tarantino
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Reviews for Desperado
It's big, it's daft, but Desperado is confident and hugely entertaining filmmaking.
Within Rodriguez' pulp formula stories are little pockets of ingenuity.
Rodriguez's follow-up is unquestionably formulaic but mercifully free of the flat dialogue and arch one-liners that undermine so many action films.
A slicker, more expensive version than El Mariach, except that what was promising and charming for $7,000 now looks tiresome and repetitious for $7 million
Desperado has merit as a guilty pleasure, but when the violence and action grow tiresome, the film has nothing to hang its hat on.
Mr. Rodriguez may be good enough to make a film about anything, but Desperado would collapse if its characters had to do anything but play with guns.
A zesty action thriller that recycles the best of the B genres and rolls them into a big-budget, pistol-packing extravaganza that in its best moments leaves you breathless with wonder.
I love Rodriguez' style, and his film is always fun. Too bad he didn't bother giving his story and characters more depth.
Many characters and situations are repetitive and the film is overlong, and at times even boring.
What Rodriguez has essentially done in Desperado is make a slicker, more expensive copy of what came before. And what looked promising for $7,000 looks tiresome for a whole lot more.
Latest News for Desperado
May 08, 2007:
Banderas Denies "Sin City 2" Gig
Just because he's worked with Robert Rodriguez a half-dozen times already, that doesn't mean Antonio Banderas is a lock to appear in "Sin City 2" -- despite what... More...
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