Double R mans the helm (Writer, Director, Producer, Editor, Cam Op, and most of the musical score) in this Fantasy-Action Epic. I don't use the term epic often. It's rugged. It's tough. It's violent. It's comical. It's over the top. It's the reason you go to the movies. When you strip a filmmaker of the constraints of Hollywood and let him make a movie from the heart, you can really see the heart and soul of a filmmaker in the movie.
While this is a sequel to Desperado, the movie is more about an ensemble of characters that include El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas). Admittedly, the plot is a bit difficult to follow, as Double R does try to combine two movies into one (1) the conflict between El Mariachi and a sinister General Marquez and (2) an attempt to overthrow the Mexican Government by a drug lord (Willem Dafoe). The first movie is told through flashbacks, but it does set up a "revenge story" for El. There are very few holes in the plot ... if you are paying attention, and no filmmaker should be blamed for having a plot that a select few cannot follow.
Only Double R himself has put together a better cast than this (see Sin City). Salma Hayek reprising her role from Desperado. Johnny Depp as the wicked CIA agent that causes problems for everyone (and loves Puerco Pibil). Eva Mendes as his lady-friend/Mexican Agent. Mickey Rourke in the role that brought him back to the spotlight (to go on to Sin City, The Wrestler, and Iron Man 2), Danny Trejo ... nuff said, Cheech Marin as a snobby snitch, plus Ruben Blades (retired FBI) and Marco Leonardi (fellow Mariachi) in amazing and very memorable roles ("I don't think ... I drink."). I can't support Enrique Iglesias ... I don't know why he is here. Even Tito Larriva is in there (who also appeared in Desperado and From Dusk Till Dawn).
Admittedly, this movie is not for everyone. Personally, I rate movies based on if they "reach the goals they set out for themselves". This movie wasn't going for an Oscar. It wasn't even going for "logical action sequences". It was going for bad ass-in your face-explosive-one liner filled-sexy-sometimes comical-action.
Does it reach that goal? You're damn right.
While this is a sequel to Desperado, the movie is more about an ensemble of characters that include El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas). Admittedly, the plot is a bit difficult to follow, as Double R does try to combine two movies into one (1) the conflict between El Mariachi and a sinister General Marquez and (2) an attempt to overthrow the Mexican Government by a drug lord (Willem Dafoe). The first movie is told through flashbacks, but it does set up a "revenge story" for El. There are very few holes in the plot ... if you are paying attention, and no filmmaker should be blamed for having a plot that a select few cannot follow.
Only Double R himself has put together a better cast than this (see Sin City). Salma Hayek reprising her role from Desperado. Johnny Depp as the wicked CIA agent that causes problems for everyone (and loves Puerco Pibil). Eva Mendes as his lady-friend/Mexican Agent. Mickey Rourke in the role that brought him back to the spotlight (to go on to Sin City, The Wrestler, and Iron Man 2), Danny Trejo ... nuff said, Cheech Marin as a snobby snitch, plus Ruben Blades (retired FBI) and Marco Leonardi (fellow Mariachi) in amazing and very memorable roles ("I don't think ... I drink."). I can't support Enrique Iglesias ... I don't know why he is here. Even Tito Larriva is in there (who also appeared in Desperado and From Dusk Till Dawn).
Admittedly, this movie is not for everyone. Personally, I rate movies based on if they "reach the goals they set out for themselves". This movie wasn't going for an Oscar. It wasn't even going for "logical action sequences". It was going for bad ass-in your face-explosive-one liner filled-sexy-sometimes comical-action.
Does it reach that goal? You're damn right.