MOVIE - ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$$ (OUT OF 10)
STARRING - Antonio Banderas (El Mariachi), Salma Hayek (Carolina), Johnny Depp (CIA Agent Sands), Eva Mendes (Special Agent Ajedrez), Willem Dafoe (Barillo),
Mickey Rourke (Billy), Danny Trejo (Cucuy) & Cheech Marin.
DIRECTOR/WRITER - Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn, The Faculty, El Mariachi, Desperado, Spy Kids 1, 2 & 3)
A vivid and violent masterpiece in the tradition of Pulp Fiction.
Technically, this is the final chapter of Robert Rodriguez's trilogy that started with his debut, El Mariachi, and continued with Desperado. You don't have to have seen the earlier films to enjoy this third installment in the series.
The first film, El Mariachi, was shot on a shoestring budget but earned critical acclaim. This time around Rodriguez didn't have to operate under similar budgetary constraints. Rodriguez deserves credit for using his additional financial resources to enhance the majesty of the film as opposed to succumbing to the temptation of turning it into a glorified and hollow special effects action flick.
Once Upon A Time In Mexico is so majestic and visceral that you forgive its other sins. Early on in the film Cheech Marin's character tell a story to CIA Agent Sands (Depp). At the conclusion of the tale, shown in a flashback, Marin admits that a certain degree of embellishment may have crept into his retelling of the events. Its at this precise moment that the audience nods knowingly, straps on their seat belts, and knows they are in for a marvelous and mythical ride.
The brilliance of Once Upon A Time In Mexico is that it seamlessly combines the unabashed sentimentalism of the larger than life John Wayne type Western and the harsh reality of Eastwood's Unforgiven in one film. We suspend disbelief, when necessary, because we know that tales that tell the stories of the exploits of our heroes (John Wayne Western's) are often exaggerated. Our modern day sensibilities are reaffirmed, however, when the various villains and occasionally our heroes display their very human deficiencies (Unforgiven). Once Upon A Time In Mexico relishes the poetic license it effectively employs but avoids using this artistic device to excess.
The performances are brilliant as well. Johnny Depp (Pirates Of The Caribbean), in particular, once again turns in a masterful film stealing performance which perfectly compliments the larger than life aspects of the film's story. His portrayal infuses the film with legitimate quirkiness if there is such a thing.
There are numerous gems sewn into the majestic tapestry of Once Upon A Time In Mexico, including the old lady in the Church, Sand's fake arm and wry sense of humour, that all serve to cement the film's status as an instant cult classic.
The only real sin, alluded to above, that distracts from the film is a slightly confusing story line. While there is the usual intrigue and treachery it is not always clear what motivates some of the characters to switch sides. While you are vaguely aware of these inconsistencies, as you watch the story unfold, Once Upon A Time In Mexico repeatedly sweeps you off your logical footing before you have sufficient time to contemplate the discrepancies.
Once Upon A Time In Mexico, unlike Open Range, is the real macoy.
Running time - 101 minutes.
Check out my TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2003 & WORST MOVIES OF 2003 lists.
Alternative Reviews:
Roger Ebert's Review
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
Peter Travers / Rolling Stone Review
Once Upon A Time In Mexico Official Web site
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© Copyright
2005
David Schwartz.
Last update:
2/28/05; 1:47:49 AM.
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