Sunday, September 21, 2003

Once Upon a Time in Mexico (IMDB) (Netflix)
When Robert Rodriguez finds a topic he likes, he mines it for all it's worth. Following the third Spy Kids flick, "Mexico" follows up El Mariachi and Desperado, completing the story (we think) of the musician/gunslinger. While all three films are essentially excuses for the same popcorn action, violence and humor, this time we get Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, Ruben Blades and Mickey Rourke, along with Desperado's Salma Hayek and El himself, Antonio Banderas.

The extra casting is welcome, especially Depp, who handles his role of a slightly out-of-control CIA agent with same wry humor as Pirates of the Caribbean, and brings some needed dialog to the proceedings (Mr. Mariachi's not a big talker). In addition to the usual evil drug kingpins, there's an evil general in the mix, and bigger political theme you didn't see in the first two films. Lots of shooting, lots lots of laughs, but lets hope this is the end of line.