Post by The Candyman on Sept 24, 2005 23:39:56 GMT -5
Quote: "Give me the strength to be what I was, and forgive me for what I am."
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Rating: R
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Robert Rodriguez has got to be the luckiest filmmaker in Hollywood. He made his first feature film for $7000, intending it to be released straight to the Spanish video market. Somehow, he managed to get noticed by Miramax and it was distributed into theaters. Next thing you know, he’s got studios looking to hire him and all of the benefits that entails.
And so, now he’s back, with the sequel to his breakout hit, El Mariachi. Everything about this movie is bigger than its predecessor. The budget: it went from $7,000 to $7,000,000. The actors: the unknown friends of the director were replaced by Hollywood stars Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. The action: it went from small and bloody to bigger and bloodier.
Desperado is a much darker tale than the first movie. The protagonist is no longer an innocent mariachi, killing only out of self-defense. Now he is spoken of only in whispers. Legend has it he’s a huge, dark Mexican who walks in shadow and carries a guitar case full of guns, killing whoever stands in his way.
That’s only somewhat true. While he does carry a guitar case full of guns, he’s hardly a big, savage killing machine. Rather, he’s a tormented soul. After the events that transpired in the first film, he now lives only for revenge against everyone connected to Moco’s drug cartel. Rodriguez puts his new leading man to good use. Banderas gives his character depth and his eyes show more than words ever could. He lives in agony over the loss of the woman he loved and the hand he had hoped to make a living with. Vengeance is all he has to live for. We don’t approve of his actions, yet we feel sympathy for him nonetheless.
The script this time around is stronger than the original. In terms of plot, there’s not much difference – there’s our main character, his love interest, and an evil drug lord who must be dealt with. What’s different this time around is the character development. El Mariachi is now a much more three-dimensional character, and we never question the motives behind his actions. Carolina, the girl he inevitably falls for, has her own style and way of doing things that also makes for some interesting situations. Not to mention the fact that that there’s a plot twist at the end that adds un unexpected layer to a villain who otherwise would be your typical cardboard-cutout bad guy.
The actors play their parts nearly perfectly. Banderas does a great job of portraying the inner conflict of his character. Salma Hayek brings a great amount of chemistry to their relationship, not to mention the fact that she’s drop-dead gorgeous. Even Steve Buscemi, who plays a minor role as comic relief, pulls his lines off with the exact amount of flair needed to bring out their full potential. Not to mention the fact that Rodriguez’s director buddy, Quentin Tarantino, makes a cameo in what is one of the film’s funniest scenes. If there’s one thing that can be said about having a bigger budget, it’s that it can buy you better talent.
Rodriguez doesn’t waste a penny. Once again, he manages to make a movie that looks like it cost much more than it actually did. The action scenes in this film are arguably the best in the entire trilogy. From the opening shootout to the final confrontation, this movie is all about fun. Bodies soar through the air, hundreds of bullets are fired, and the blood flows freely. None of it is realistic – it’s not supposed to be. This is just your good, old-fashioned action flick where the main character can take on dozens of opponents without getting a scratch. Rodriguez has crafted some of the most entertaining action scenes I’ve ever seen. The lighting and colors are all like something out of a cheesy comic book, but it works, and it works well. This movie also happens to contain two of the most creative weapons ever, but I won’t spoil the surprise. Suffice to say that the original Mariachi, Carlos Gallardo, makes a memorable cameo in what is perhaps the film’s most action-packed scene.
Rodriguez’s visual style has matured since the first movie. The impressive visuals are still here, they just look even better. The lighting and shot choices capture the perfect mood, rather it be one of dark sorrow or light fun. As a result, the movie feels more natural than the other two installments, sliding effortlessly between tones and moods.
Overall, this movie is just fun. The action is exaggerated, there’s a completely gratuitous (and quite graphic) sex scene, and plot twists that feel like they were taken directly from a soap opera. This movie isn’t trying to win any awards, and it knows it. This pure escapist entertainment at its best. The result is a darker, yet more entertaining movie than its predecessor which is arguably the best of the entire trilogy, and deserving of an 8/10.
The Bottom Line: Guns, drugs and Salma Hayek. ‘Nuff said.
Should I see it? If you’re just looking for a good time, then yes. In terms of pure entertainment, it’s hard to beat.
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Rating: R
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Rodriguez has got to be the luckiest filmmaker in Hollywood. He made his first feature film for $7000, intending it to be released straight to the Spanish video market. Somehow, he managed to get noticed by Miramax and it was distributed into theaters. Next thing you know, he’s got studios looking to hire him and all of the benefits that entails.
And so, now he’s back, with the sequel to his breakout hit, El Mariachi. Everything about this movie is bigger than its predecessor. The budget: it went from $7,000 to $7,000,000. The actors: the unknown friends of the director were replaced by Hollywood stars Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. The action: it went from small and bloody to bigger and bloodier.
Desperado is a much darker tale than the first movie. The protagonist is no longer an innocent mariachi, killing only out of self-defense. Now he is spoken of only in whispers. Legend has it he’s a huge, dark Mexican who walks in shadow and carries a guitar case full of guns, killing whoever stands in his way.
That’s only somewhat true. While he does carry a guitar case full of guns, he’s hardly a big, savage killing machine. Rather, he’s a tormented soul. After the events that transpired in the first film, he now lives only for revenge against everyone connected to Moco’s drug cartel. Rodriguez puts his new leading man to good use. Banderas gives his character depth and his eyes show more than words ever could. He lives in agony over the loss of the woman he loved and the hand he had hoped to make a living with. Vengeance is all he has to live for. We don’t approve of his actions, yet we feel sympathy for him nonetheless.
The script this time around is stronger than the original. In terms of plot, there’s not much difference – there’s our main character, his love interest, and an evil drug lord who must be dealt with. What’s different this time around is the character development. El Mariachi is now a much more three-dimensional character, and we never question the motives behind his actions. Carolina, the girl he inevitably falls for, has her own style and way of doing things that also makes for some interesting situations. Not to mention the fact that that there’s a plot twist at the end that adds un unexpected layer to a villain who otherwise would be your typical cardboard-cutout bad guy.
The actors play their parts nearly perfectly. Banderas does a great job of portraying the inner conflict of his character. Salma Hayek brings a great amount of chemistry to their relationship, not to mention the fact that she’s drop-dead gorgeous. Even Steve Buscemi, who plays a minor role as comic relief, pulls his lines off with the exact amount of flair needed to bring out their full potential. Not to mention the fact that Rodriguez’s director buddy, Quentin Tarantino, makes a cameo in what is one of the film’s funniest scenes. If there’s one thing that can be said about having a bigger budget, it’s that it can buy you better talent.
Rodriguez doesn’t waste a penny. Once again, he manages to make a movie that looks like it cost much more than it actually did. The action scenes in this film are arguably the best in the entire trilogy. From the opening shootout to the final confrontation, this movie is all about fun. Bodies soar through the air, hundreds of bullets are fired, and the blood flows freely. None of it is realistic – it’s not supposed to be. This is just your good, old-fashioned action flick where the main character can take on dozens of opponents without getting a scratch. Rodriguez has crafted some of the most entertaining action scenes I’ve ever seen. The lighting and colors are all like something out of a cheesy comic book, but it works, and it works well. This movie also happens to contain two of the most creative weapons ever, but I won’t spoil the surprise. Suffice to say that the original Mariachi, Carlos Gallardo, makes a memorable cameo in what is perhaps the film’s most action-packed scene.
Rodriguez’s visual style has matured since the first movie. The impressive visuals are still here, they just look even better. The lighting and shot choices capture the perfect mood, rather it be one of dark sorrow or light fun. As a result, the movie feels more natural than the other two installments, sliding effortlessly between tones and moods.
Overall, this movie is just fun. The action is exaggerated, there’s a completely gratuitous (and quite graphic) sex scene, and plot twists that feel like they were taken directly from a soap opera. This movie isn’t trying to win any awards, and it knows it. This pure escapist entertainment at its best. The result is a darker, yet more entertaining movie than its predecessor which is arguably the best of the entire trilogy, and deserving of an 8/10.
The Bottom Line: Guns, drugs and Salma Hayek. ‘Nuff said.
Should I see it? If you’re just looking for a good time, then yes. In terms of pure entertainment, it’s hard to beat.