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.
Comment
01/26/06
Desperado (1995)
62
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
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... [More]
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Joaquim de Almeida, Steve Buscemi, Salma Hayek
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Reviews for Desperado
Top CriticIt's big, it's daft, but Desperado is confident and hugely entertaining filmmaking.
01/01/00
Top CriticClick to read the article
06/06/08
Top CriticWithin Rodriguez' pulp formula stories are little pockets of ingenuity.
07/30/07
Click to read the article
04/09/07
Rodriguez's follow-up is unquestionably formulaic but mercifully free of the flat dialogue and arch one-liners that undermine so many action films.
03/13/07
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
06/20/06
An incredibly violent and infinitely entertaining shoot-'em-up.
12/05/04
A supreme example of style vs. substance - and style wins!
02/21/04
No review available.
01/12/04
Desperado has merit as a guilty pleasure, but when the violence and action grow tiresome, the film has nothing to hang its hat on.
09/26/03
Slick, funny and exciting, but falls apart in the end.
07/25/03
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.
05/20/03
Top CriticA 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.
05/14/03
Brilliantly made, if not especially deep, actioneer with nice cast.
02/02/03
No review available.
01/02/03
I love Rodriguez' style, and his film is always fun. Too bad he didn't bother giving his story and characters more depth.
09/10/02
Many characters and situations are repetitive and the film is overlong, and at times even boring.
09/09/02
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.
08/15/02
Top CriticLatest 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...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube 
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds