The Plot:
Robert Rodriguez returns with the mythic guitar-slinging hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), in the final installment of the Mariachi/Desperado trilogy. The saga continues as El Mariachi makes his way across a rugged landscape on the blood trail of Barrillo (Willem Dafoe), a cartel kingpin with one last score to settle who is planning a coup d’etat against the president of Mexico. Enlisted by Sands (Johnny Depp), a corrupt CIA agent, El Mariachi demands retribution, and the adventure begins against a backdrop of revolution, greed, and revenge. (From Yahoo Movies)
My Thoughts: (Reviewed by K-Billy)
This movie is pretty much the very definition of style over substance. The plot is so bad….well it’s bad. It is the sequel to Desperado which in turn was a remake of El Mariachi. Antonio Banderas is a gun slinging guitar player who is seemingly invincible. Either that or he’s incredibly good at NEVER getting shot. And believe me there are plenty of times when he could’ve caught a bullet considering this movie is pretty much a stylized shoot out. A spaghetti western if you will, only with mexicans. How wonderful. If you ask me however this movie failed in it’s most important aspect. The gunfights aren’t all that interesting. They’re so outlandish that it’s hard to enjoy them and since you know El Mariachi is never going to die, and since no one ever seems to bleed, they’re rather boring. This movie succeeds because of one saving grace, one incredibly intelligent and funny performance. It is none other then the character of Agent Sands who is played by Johnny Depp. He is hilarious throughout this entire film and really carries the entire picture on his shoulders. This movie’s supposed to be about El Mariachi, but I couldn’t care less about Antonio Banderas’ character. One reason perhaps is that when he speaks he rarely says more then 4 words. The character’s depth could be compared the number of girlfriends I’ve had. (Get my point). So when watching this movie I found myself routing for the charismatic, even if he was a little evil, Agent Sands. And don’t even get my started about Salma Hayek even being in this film. On the cover of the dvd her name actually appears before Depps. SHE”S ONLY IN THE FILM IN FLASHBACKS. 6 minutes tops, she’s in this movie. What the hell was the point. All in all, it was a semi amusing film that was really nothing more then a shoot out, a western in mexico. I find clipping my nails to be more interesting then Antonio Banderas in this movie. Thank god for Johnny Depp.
Starring Johnny Depp, Antonio Banderas, Willem Dafoe, and Salma Hayek
Directed by Robert Rodriguez
Rated R