Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes ...( see more  see more... ) , Danny Trejo , Enrique Iglesias

Haunted and scarred by tragedy, El Mariachi has retreated into a life of isolation. He is forced out of hiding when Sands, a corrupt CIA agent, recruits the reclusive hero to sabotage an assassination...( read more  read more... ) plot against the president of Mexico, which has been conceived by the evil cartel kingpin, Barillo. But El Mariachi also has his own reasons for returning--blood revenge. The desperado returns with his two capable cohorts Lorenzo and Fideo. And the legend of El Mariachi reaches new heights of adventure.

Flixster Users

66% liked it

261,939 ratings

Critics

69% liked it

159 critics

R, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Robert Rodriguez

Release Date: September 12, 2003

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DVD Release Date: January 20, 2004

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Stats: 10,765 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (10,765)


  • September 18, 2009
    Once Upon a Time in Mexico has its great moments but it?s not as entertaining as desperado!
  • August 3, 2009
    An enjoyable cap to the El Mariachi trilogy that occasionally disappoints, but never mars the good name of its predecessors
  • July 30, 2009
    El Mariachi returns with an even more all star cast in an even more spectacular, spectacular, movie where the plot gets drowned out in the stylism. Lacking the cool factor of Desperado, I wasn't exactly sure what the point of this movie was, other than a chance for Johnny Depp to...( read more) play in a Rodriguez movie.
  • July 13, 2009
    Agent Sands: El, you really must try this because it's puerco pibil. It's a slow-roasted pork, nothing fancy. It just happens to be my favorite, and I order it with a tequila and lime in every dive I go to in this country. And honestly, that is the best it's ever been anywhere. I...( read more)n fact, it's too good. It's so good that when I'm finished, I'll pay my check, walk straight into the kitchen and shoot the cook. Because that's what I do. I restore the balance to this country.

    The final chapter of the story involving the legendary guitar fighter. Putting an end to the Mariachi Trilogy, director Roobert Rodriguez lets Johnny Depp join the cast and makes us want a trilogy about his character. This movie is about having fun, but gets a kick out of its editing and assorted characters.

    El Mariachi returns with the help of an all star cast, bringing back Antonio Banderas into his coolest role. Hayek is also back, but in a limited appearance, which doesn't mean she is not sexy enough. Adding to that sexiness is Eva Mendes. Then you have Willem Dafoe, Mickey Rourke, and Danny Trejo among others.

    Lots of fun is to be had in this movie, especially if your in the right mood. El Mariachi is basically elevated to a completely mythic proportion, and that's just fine. The way this film is put together really doesn't lend itself to the real world, it exists in the "Mexploitation" that Rodriguez has perfected over time.

    Adding to tihs is the soundtrack is a mix of epic scoring by Rodriguez and Mexican tunes, good stuff.

    The plot is somewhat convoluted, but El Mariachi is pulled into a story that involves a Mexican Cartel, a vicious general, a corrupt CIA Agent, and various schemes for revenge and power. Its simple to follow if you pay attention, but the joy comes from Rodriguez's sweet action scenes, cool digital camera work, and rapid fire editing.

    Sands: Oh yeah, things may get a wee bit dangerous there sugarbutt so... can you dig it?

    A lot of the personal staples from the previous entries in the trilogy are still intact, even if the budget has become larger, and while I miss the Banderas-Hayek interactions, there is enough good stuff to make this an enjoyable flick. It also doesn't help that El Maricahi is almost more of a side character. However, this is made up for by the many entertaining characters, with Johnny Depp's wacky persona being the best of the bunch.

    Agent Sands: You know that withholding vital information from a federal officer is a serious offense. Especially when that officer has paid handsomely for it and wouldn't think twice about ripping that patch off your eyehole and skull-fucking you to death.

    A quality action flick made with Rodriguez's on-the-go style.

    El Mariachi: Would you kill them?
    Cucuy: Me?
    [Points to his men]
    Cucuy: They certainly would.
    El Mariachi: Then I guess I have no choice... but to kill you all.
  • March 1, 2009
    The final instalment in Robert Rodriguez? Mexican Western trilogy. Johnny Depp added much humour to this film and with an all star cast, it?s certainly an Action film worth seeing.
  • February 3, 2010
    Decent flick with good performances [most notably by Banderas and Johnny Depp] but very disappointing when compared to Desperado.
  • January 31, 2010
    Some of the best actors in the world round up to create an action packed movie, love the storyline.
  • January 30, 2010
    I enjoy R.R.'s films. The action is over the top, and because most of them are filmed in the dusty streets of some faraway town, they really set the tone. His soundtracks are a nice variation of guitar and spanish sounds.
  • January 25, 2010
    Who would have thought that the sequel to Desperado could be this entertaining.....Johnny Depp is awesome
  • January 3, 2010
    OK sequel, though Johnny Depp having his eye balls carved out was a bit much.

Critic Reviews


September 12, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I understood the general outlines of the story, I liked the bold strokes he uses to create the characters, and I was amused by the camera work, which includes a lot of shots that are about themselves. full review

September 11, 2003
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

A noisy, unholy mess, with moments of wit and surprise that ultimately make its brutal tedium all the more disappointing. full review

September 11, 2003
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Depp tosses off nearly as many deadpan quips as he did in Pirates and steals the movie from everyone else in the cast, including a rugged Antonio Banderas, who is perfect for the role of a man haunted... full review

September 11, 2003
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

After a while, Once Upon a Time in Mexico starts having the same effect as one too many tequilas: the Hong Kong-style stunts, the goofy wisecracks, the foxy presence of Eva Mendes -- all of it becomes... full review

September 11, 2003
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Just as there are some sports teams you watch for the brilliant efforts of one star athlete, there are movies that rivet your attention when one performer is onscreen and go slack when he's gone. full review

September 8, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Just sit back and let Rodriguez take you to popcorn-movie heaven. full review

View more Once Upon a Time in Mexico reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • SteffiRose
    August 31, 2009
    umm wht can be better than Enrique Iglesias!!!!!
  • vampire08
    October 22, 2008
    yuo good movie
  • karthu1993
    July 21, 2008
    pretty good but could have been better.
  • HorseLover1594
    June 23, 2008
    There are three of my fav actors in this movie!!! I've got to see it!!! I LOVE YOU ANTONIO, JOHNNY, AND ENRIQUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • nbhatti3000
    November 22, 2007
    if you have seen movie desperado one part then you will like this part two. non-stop action movie both are.
  • Aman90
    May 31, 2007
    this is 1 of my favorite movies so happy i got it :)
  • Aman90
    May 31, 2007
    this movie is awesome and johnny depp rules hes my favorite actor(he is not hot...not anymore now he is old)
    when i went 2 bestbuy 2 get this movie the girl at the cash register was like where did u find it i was thinking is she serious, i told her in the movies section under the letter "o"
  • BonksiLuv
    February 24, 2007
    Are u Mexi-CAN or Mexi-CAN'T?...lol
  • BonksiLuv
    February 24, 2007
    I LOVE THIS MOVIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
    ITS THE BEST MOVIE!!!
  • MORTraineysWIFE
    February 16, 2007
    YAY JOHHNY!!!!!! i love this movie but when hes eyes got torn out i felt cut * crys * i love johnny depp!!!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts


  • Fun Fact:
    The role of Cucuy was written for Quentin Tarantino, but he had to drop out to film Kill Bill: Vol. 1. Danny Trejo got the role.
  • Fun Fact:
    Kurt Russell, Bruce Willis and Nicolas Cage were also considered for the role of Sands.
  • Fun Fact:
    The role of Sands was originally intended for George Clooney.

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