Like sped-up Sergio Leone, an awesome comic book epic of a burrito Western.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:158
Fresh:108
Rotten:50
Average Rating:6.3/10
Consensus: Violent, pulpy, loopy fun, with Depp stealing the show.
Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: The saga of the mythic guitar-slinging hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), continues in Robert Rodriguez’s bravura action epic Once Upon a Time in Mexico. The new adventure is set against a... The saga of the mythic guitar-slinging hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), continues in Robert Rodriguez’s bravura action epic Once Upon a Time in Mexico. The new adventure is set against a backdrop of revolution, greed and revenge. Haunted and scarred by tragedy, El Mariachi (Banderas) has retreated into a life of isolation. He is forced out of hiding when Sands (Johnny Depp), 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 Barrillo (Willem Dafoe). But El Mariachi also has his own reasons for returning – blood revenge. The desperado returns with his two trusted sidekicks Lorenzo (Enrique Iglesias) and Fideo (Marco Leonardi). And the legend of El Mariachi reaches new heights of excitement and adventure. Columbia Pictures and Dimension Films Present Once Upon a Time in Mexico starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and Johnny Depp. Also starring Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes, Danny Trejo, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Leonardi, Cheech Marin, Rubén Blades and Willem Dafoe. Once Upon a Time in Mexico was written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. The film was produced by Elizabeth Avellán, Carlos Gallardo and Robert Rodriguez. The director of photography, editor, production designer and composer is Robert Rodriguez. The costume designer is Graciela Mazón. Once Upon a Time in Mexico will be released on September 12, 2003. The film has been rated R by the MPAA for strong violence and language. [More]
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, Salma Hayek, Ruben Blades
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, Salma Hayek, Ruben Blades, Willem Dafoe, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Leonardi, Mickey Rourke, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Eva Mendes
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Screenwriter: Robert Rodriguez
Producer: Robert Rodriguez
Composer: Robert Rodriguez
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Reviews for Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Antonio Banderas took my breath away again. Sleek and swift as a panther, he projects the charisma and magnetism of an old-time movie star.
As Rodriguez' hubris has swelled to Olympian proportions, so also have his films become hopelessly mired in adolescent exhibitionism.
Moves with uncanny cool; it has a strange lukewarm energy that most Hollywood action films lack.
A thrilling, entertaining spectacle which easily lives up to the legacy of its predecessors and proves that the director’s time spent with the Spy Kids franchise hasn’t diminished his ability to create effective adult-level thrills.
Depp, a mere two months after his scene-stealing turn in Pirates of the Caribbean, once again is the best thing about a very silly movie.
It does have Depp to buoy it up just long enough to keep audience interest alive until the film gets to the meat of the story -- the action.
It's at once busy and lacklustre, intricately plotted yet indifferently paced, handsomely mounted but made from plastic.
Rodriguez ... has taken his work in 1995's Desperado, Mexico's precursor, and blown it up to mammoth, thrilling proportions.
Despite the movie's dark humor, violence and the occasional nonvoluntary facial surgery that will drive away the queasy, Once Upon a Time in Mexico is the most crowd-pleasing film in the series.
Rodriguez's films have always been witty, but none more than this crazy confection.
Feels like a bullfight on acid or a dish of carne asade peppered with just the right comedic seasoning.
If Once Upon A Time in Mexico is a spaghetti Western, it's Chef Boy-Ar-Dee.
A winking exercise in actors acting cool and the amoral joys of trigger- happiness.
You ride along with a movie like this with a big, dumb grin on your face and no guilt.
Latest News for Once Upon a Time in Mexico
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...
April 06, 2006:
Critical Consensus: Take Or Leave This "Lead,: An Odd "Number," "Benchwarmers"
This week at the movies, we explore the joys of dance ("Take the Lead"), mistaken identity ("Lucky Number Slevin"), our national pastime ("The... More...
September 18, 2002:
Film fans know Robert Rodriguez as the man who made the inexpensive indie hit, 'El Mariachi' -- In 2003 he brings badass guitar cases back into fashion with 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico,' the third installment of the Mariachi legend. ![]()
More...
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