Once Upon a Time in Mexico

Tree times the blood, three times the fun.

Yes, I know I haven't reviewed Desperado yet, but trust me, I will sooner than later. Today's entry is the third instalment in what Robert Rodríguez calls The Mexico Trilogy, which started in 1992 with El Mariachi followed by 1995's Desperado, perhaps the one film that made Rodríguez a big name in the film making industry.  So part III takes us back where we left in Desperado: The future of the Mariachi relationship with his gal Carolina (played by astonishing Salma Hayek, though she's not naked in this one) and of course a bloody mess of trouble with druglords, twisted generals, corrupt assholes, CIA agents and plenty of guns and explosions. Once Upon a Time (2003) is one of Robert Rodriguez's first movies shot on pristine high definition video, and let me tell you Rodríguez again proves that sequels can be just as good or better than the originals. This movie is supposed the conclusion to Rodriguez's Mariachi trilogy, with El Mariachi being pulled into a plot to prevent the Mexican government from being overrun by a corrupt Mexican general. This movie comes with updated special effects that make it look a lot cooler than the previous attempts, making the action scenes more lively and fast motioned.

The Mariachis.

Agent Sands.

Bad motherfucka likes his chiguagua.

For having shot this movie in such a short amount of time, it looks awesome. You're treated to beautiful shots of Mexican landscape and architecture, right before it gets shot up in some great gun battles. In some of these scenes, you'd never think that a most (if not all) of the bullets and architecture damage were added digitally, although it makes bullet-hole continuity a pain (if you pay attention to that sort of thing). This movie shows that Rodriguez has a serious gift for putting together great action scenes (see Mariachi and Carolina's escape from the hotel).

Eva Mendes is the hottest new addition to the film.

Salma Hayek returns.

Salma Hayek's fake nude.

The cast in this movie rocked. This movie continues to show why Johnny Depp is one of the most versatile actors to date. His role as Agent Sands, the corrupt CIA agent, was definitely one of the best parts of this movie, adding most of the humor (and in the final 20 minutes, he makes for one of the coolest looking movie characters I've seen in a long time). Of course, Sands wasn't the only character in the movie. Antonio Banderas continues to rule as El, and Willem Dafoe (another great actor) rounds out the key players as the ruler of the local drug cartel. You know an actor's good when he can believably pull off playing another race. If I hadn't seen Dafoe in others movie previously, I could believe he was Mexican (which is amazing seeing as how the man doesn't speak Spanish) We also get superb performances from supporting players Eva Mendes, Rueben Blades, Mickey Rourke, Danny Trejo, and perhaps the only dissapointing element in the whole movie is Enrique Iglesias, a spanish pop singer, who actually can't sing a shit. Why did Rodríguez hire such a piece of crap for such an important film? I don't fucking know guys.

I really enjoyed this film, and while many people say its not got as strong a plotline as El Mariachi and Desperado, I strongly disagree, in fact Once Upon a Time in Mexico holds the strongest and most complex plotline out of the Mexico trilogy.

Both El Mariachi & Desperado had rather thin plots with interesting characters and set pieces. While Once upon a Time in Mexico hasn't got the same indepth characters as the first 2, it does have a couple of interesting ones. But the actual plot is the difference.

Agent Sands wastes no time next to Eva Mendes.

Flameshot!

I think the plot is much stronger than people give it credit for and people look down on it because its so different from the first 2.

Its a fairly complex plot, in which a corrupt CIA agent enlists El Mariachi (to kill the twisted general) while informing a drug baron that El Mariachi has resurfaced... The same drug baron has enlisted a rogue General (see above) to overthrow the peoples president who has sworn to put an end to the drug baron... all this and the same CIA agent has convinced a retired FBI agent to put an end to the drug baron who eluded him and both killed and tortured his best friend... and while this is going on El Mariachi goes to get his trusty guitar case and best friends, 2 fellow mariachi's. Finally to add another spin, the CIA agent gets some information which he passes on to his 'friend', a special forces agent, so as to get her a huge commendation if she can take out the drug baron.

El Mariachi.

Sound confusing? It is, and roll on double cross after double cross. However watch it once or twice and it does make sense, just dont expect your normal 'Mariachi' revenge movie, because its not and infact everyone plays second fiddle to a fantastic Johnny Depp, whose CIA agent is by far the central character. Much is also made of the 'missing' Salma Hayek who isnt in it nearly enough, now this I do disagree with. Firstly there is the absolutely gorgeous Eva Mendes, who would blow Hayek off the screen anyday of the week, and should be enough for people who only go to see a beautiful girl, and secondly there is no need for her in the plot other than when she does appear.

Personally I would say, you will enjoy this film if its approached right. And I think you would enjoy it more IF you do buy it rather than rent it or watch it on TV as it allows for repeat viewing which is needed for complete clarity!

the great Machete!

Overall, I can say that Rodriguez's final Mariachi installment is one of my favorite action movies. It is a fair closing to a trilogy of bloody Mexican hitmen. A fast-paced action flick with a great story (and equally good soundtrack). Plus, if you have the DVD, make sure you check out the special features to see just how passionate Rodriguez is about his craft.

Here's the cool movie trailer: