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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 12, 2003

Dazzling 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico' concludes 'El Mariachi' saga

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (Rated R) Three Stars (Good)

Robert Rodriguez continues his violent and exciting "El Mariachi" saga with the most flamboyant chapter yet. "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" is a crazed and relentless action flick, featuring a confusing array of betrayals, seductions and gunplay, viewed through an orange tequila haze and spiced with Johnny Depp's second, delightfully over-the-top performance of the summer. Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek also star. Columbia Pictures, 110 minutes.

Robert Rodriguez continues his violent and exciting "El Mariachi" saga with the most flamboyant chapter yet.

"Once Upon a Time in Mexico" is a crazed and relentlessly explosive action flick, featuring a confusing array of betrayals, seductions and gunplay, viewed through an orange tequila haze. It's also spiced with Johnny Depp's second, delightfully over-the-top performance of the summer — the first being his turn as Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean."

This third film follows the continuing exploits of Rodriguez's guitar-touting gunman first seen in the notoriously low-budget "El Mariachi." Remade with a Hollywood budget and crew, Rodriguez released the sequel as "Desperado" starring Antonio Banderas. Now Banderas returns in the most extravagant segment yet, a wild concluding chapter to the trilogy that Rodriguez has constructed as homage to Sergio Leone's spaghetti westerns.

Salma Hayek returns, along with Rodriguez regulars Cheech Marin and Danny Trejo. The impressive ensemble also includes Willem Dafoe, Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes and Ruben Blades. But nearly stealing the film is Depp, as a mysterious, tightly strung and amoral CIA operative.

Depp wants to organize an assassination of the Mexican president — as well as pull off a major theft. To help, he enlists El Mariachi (Banderas) under the false pretense of trying to stop the assassination.

"Mexico" functions more entertainingly as a series of elaborate stunts, enacted by extremely colorful characters in exotic locales. Logic is not a prerequisite.

Once again, Rodriguez demonstrates astonishing energy and talent by serving not only as writer and director, but also as camera operator, editor, production designer and even music composer.

Rodriguez's films have always been witty, but none more than "Mexico."

Perhaps he's more playful because of his recent work on his family-oriented "Spy Kids" movies. Although the film is a return to violent adult fare, it has the breezy humor of his children's films.

Summer cinematic craziness is about to give way to the more solemn andhopefully prestigious movies of autumn. "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" gives filmgoers one more chance to munch popcorn and go with the visceral thrills before they have to start thinking again.

Rated R, with strong violence, sex and profanity.