Dreadfully Boring

Boring

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

So-so. Starts well, builds to a point, and then just falls apart. Was quite interesting and had the makings of a good drama but ultimately just degenerates into a mindless action movie. Antonio Banderas gets top billing but it is Johnny Depp who probably gets more airtime. Plus, Salma Hayek gets second billing, but we don't see much of her, unfortunately. All three deliver good performances, however. Good support from Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes, Willem Dafoe and Dabby Trejo. Enrique Iglesias can be seen in a minor role. Cheech Marin gets his customary role as wisecracking minor character.

Hit-man "El Mariachi" (Antonio Banderas) becomes involved in international espionage involving a psychotic CIA agent (Johnny Depp) and a corrupt Mexican general.Roger Ebert wrote, "Like Leone's movie, the Rodriguez epic is more interested in the moment, in great shots, in surprises and ironic reversals and closeups of sweaty faces, than in a coherent story". Boy, he could not be more right. If we are going to talk style versus substance, this film has style written all over it: some great visuals, intense scenes... but when it comes to actual substance, the story is not as tight as it could (or should) be.The "star" factor is here, with Johnny Depp and Willem Dafoe thrown into the mix, and Depp is certainly quite entertaining... but the dynamic also changes when your focus is less on the Mexican characters and more on this other guy, an outsider. The comedy was also increased greatly, too, and not always appropriately for the type of film it tries to be.Great fun for fans of "Desperado", but this is far from Rodriguez's best work.

Sequels to franchises fail all the time in cinema history. And there are many factors that are involved with this downfall but they all have something in common. The lack of care taken into consideration for the main character of the story. Sometimes it's less character development, and sometimes it's because the whole plot is turned upside down on the main character. But what this specific film does is almost ignore the presence of its main character completely!After having a successful run releasing El Mariachi (1992) and Desperado (1995), it was time for director Robert Rodriguez to finish his famous trilogy. And it's hard to believe that this film would do badly because it has the same director and the same actors right? But somehow, it still manages to pull off as being obnoxious. Antonio Banderas is back as "El", the once ruthless killer who swore revenge on Bucho, who had his wife murdered (Desperado (1995)). Now, he's back but this time to kill a man named General Marquez. Why does El Mariachi need to kill another man? Didn't he get his revenge? The answer is yes to all these questions. So what's the revenge for? The vital information that the viewer is missing is quite important. I'm not one for spoiling films but this has to be addressed. El Mariachi is going to kill Marquez because the general killed Carolina, Salma Hayek's character. Now for any viewer who really likes her character better not be surprised when Hayek's character is barely in this film. It truly is a disappointment because the intro to this sequel is really exciting. Even the trailer to this film is also very deceptive,...it makes it look like Salma Hayek's character actively participates in it. Just kidding.Besides this though, the real problem lies in how the story was executed. Johnny Depp also stars in this film as a C.I.A. agent who, in his eyes, is "restoring the balance to the country". It's a fine idea and all but the story becomes so focused on Depp's plan, than it is, on its anti-hero, El Mariachi. Depp does have some funny lines but it's almost like Antonio Banderas' character took a back seat in this film. It's actually quite unsettling because El Mariachi is what made the franchise what it was; not some stuck-up C.I.A. agent. Desperado was a simple story about a man looking for revenge. This is about another man needing a man to get revenge on an enemy so another man can take power. Confusing no?Everything else is fair in this movie. The script still has its moments of comedy, bloody action and loud gunshots. The only difference is that there just doesn't seem like there's enough of it because the camera isn't focused on El Mariachi all the time. The music is also still a joy to listen to because of all the Hispanic tunes. This movie isn't a bad film,...but it definitely could have been much better.Once Upon a Time in Mexico tries to replicate the over the top action from its predecessors but it's bogged down with too much story and not enough of "El". Plus, with the lack of vital plot points, some fans may be highly disappointed with the end result.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico finishes up the Mariachi trilogy perfectly. You have Banderas in the lead role again but also have another great actor in a main role with Johnny Depp as Agent Sands to play counter point to him. I was at first bummed out that Salma Hayek's role was fairly small but from a storyline purpose keeping it the way it was is a good way to create motivation for the Mariachi to come out of retirement and to seek retribution. You also have a great supporting cast with Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes, Willem Dafoe, Cheech Marin, Ruben Blades and Danny Trejo. The movie is basically what Desperado was but on a much higher level with a better overall cast.