+++ Once Upon a Time in Mexico +++

Once Upon a Time in Mexico

Movie: Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Cast:Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, William Defoe, Enrique Iglesias, Cheech Marin
Rating: 4 of 5
Reviewer: Rachelle Fernandez

Once upon a time there was a director and his name was Robert Rodriguez. He made many movies such as, “Desperado”, “El mariachi” and “Spy Kids.” All were interesting and clever in there own way, but never as brilliant as his latest, “Once Upon a Time In Mexico”. Rodriguez has out done himself with the concluding chapter of the “El Mariachi” trilogy and the sequel to “Desperado.”

Rodriguez's second sequel to “El Mariachi” starts up after the events of “Desperado”. Antonio Banderas is back as El Mariachi and is hiding out in Mexico, when the corrupt CIA agent Sands, played by Johnny Depp, offers a proposition that will lead him back to his old ways. After being persuaded, El Mariachi decides to return to his friend and get his signature guitar also used as a machine gun and all around killing device. While doing this El Mariachi is forced to visit some painful memories from his past, new developments that began between the first and third movies, and flashbacks of his marriage to his beloved Carolina, played by Salma Hayek.

All the while, the sneaky Sands is out trying to con his love interest into helping him act on his plans. The plans are basically the center of the movie. There is a new president in town and he wants to rid the country of the drug-lord, Barrillo. However, Barrillo is aware of this and has staged his own counter attack by hiring a military general, Marques. And while all this is happening, agent Sands has his own man inside to make sure that Marques won’t take over after his victory. Now that he has the new President and Marques taken care of, Sands has his love interest detain Barrillo. Then, if all goes well and everyone is sidetracked with their own little war, Agent Sands will steal and walk scot free with the 20 million pesos that Barrillo was going to pay Marques.

Rodriguez did an excellent job with this movie! The cinematography was extraordinary, the soundtrack was inexpiably unique and perfect for the film, and the concept and script was equally as amazing. As for the actors they came out just as victorious as Rodriquez, delivering a flawless performance, letting me forget that I was watching these very famous actors, instead allowing me to get captured and carried away with the story. Although I loved the movie, I scored it a 4 out of 5. I do however think that this movie may be hard for many viewers to follow, especially without the prior knowledge of the past two films this one is based on. But all in all, I think after this film Rodriquez can live happily ever after!

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