USA Today, 09/12/2003, p.9E, "...[An] entertainingly quirky film....A swaggering fantasy that pays homage to spaghetti Westerns such as Sergio Leone's THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY..."
Rolling Stone, 10/02/2003, p.125, "...You don't want to miss Depp in this movie -- he knocks it out of the park..."
Chicago Sun-Times, 09/12/2003, p.32, "...What bubbles beneath all of Rodriguez's work is an impatient joy in the act of filmmaking..."
Entertainment Weekly, 09/12/2003, p.128, "...The joy that Rodriguez takes in each shot is palpable..."
New York Times, 09/12/2003, p.E12, "...Mr. Rodriguez has a feverish, inventive eye, and an ability to infuse digital video, so often flat and grainy, with uncommon depth and luster..."
Movieline's Hollywood Life, 09/01/2003, p.114, "...A sprawling actioner....With a perversely brilliant ensemble cast..."
Title Note
Theatrical Release: SEPTEMBER 10, 2003
Release Note
DVD Features:
Region 1 Keep Case Widescreen - 1.78 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Dolby Digital 2.0 - French Additional Release Material: Audio Commentary - 1. Robert Rodriguez - Director Featurettes - 1. TEN-MINUTE FLICK SCHOOL 2. TEN-MINUTE COOKING SCHOOL 3. INSIDE TROUBLEMAKER STUDIOS 4. THE ANTI-HERO'S JOURNEY 5. FILM IS DEAD: AN EVENING WITH ROBERT RODRIGUEZ 6. THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE BLOODY: INSIDE KNB EFFECTS Deleted Scenes DVD-Rom Features: Shooting Gallery
DVD Features:
Region 1 Keep Case Widescreen - 1.78 Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 - French Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Additional Release Material: Deleted Scenes Audio Commentary: Robert Rodriguez - Director Featurette: 1. TEN-MINUTE FLICK SCHOOL 2. TEN-MINUTE COOKING SCHOOL 3. INSIDE TROUBLEMAKER STUDIOS 4. THE ANTI-HERO'S JOURNEY 5. FILM IS DEAD: AN EVENING WITH ROBERT RODRIGUEZ 6. THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE BLOODY: INSIDE KNB EFFECTS DVD-ROM Features: Shooting Gallery
Product Notes
With ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez follows the further adventures of El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), the guitar-and-gunslinging hero who has been leading a quiet life, but longs to get revenge for the murder of his love (Salma Hayek). When quirky CIA agent Sands (Johnny Depp) roots out El Mariachi for a special assignment, he comes out with pistols blazing. Soon, a retired FBI agent (Ruben Blades), a drug kingpin (Willem Dafoe), a criminal on the run (Mickey Rourke), and a double-dealing federale (Eva Mendes) are all in on the action, which involves a plot to kill the Mexican president and shift the balance of power in Mexico.
Handling the writing, direction, cinematography, and just about everything else, Rodriguez has crafted a tribute to the spaghetti Western films of Sergio Leone by placing his outlaw hero from DESPERADO and EL MARIACHI in an epic setting populated by numerous characters. Although it can be challenging to keep track of the unfolding subplots, the scenes involving Depp's badly dressed secret agent are the most intriguing and entertaining. Meanwhile Banderas eases back into the lead as the vengeful Mariachi, and Hayek and Blades make the most of their small but significant roles.
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