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Movies / Upcoming / Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Once Upon a Time in Mexico

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Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)

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Reviews Counted:158

Fresh:108

Rotten:50

Average Rating:6.3/10

Consensus: Violent, pulpy, loopy fun, with Depp stealing the show.

Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

US Box Office: $55,845,943

Synopsis: The saga of the mythic guitar-slinging hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), continues in Robert Rodriguez’s bravura action epic Once Upon a Time in Mexico. The new adventure is set against a... The saga of the mythic guitar-slinging hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), continues in Robert Rodriguez’s bravura action epic Once Upon a Time in Mexico. The new adventure is set against a backdrop of revolution, greed and revenge. Haunted and scarred by tragedy, El Mariachi (Banderas) has retreated into a life of isolation. He is forced out of hiding when Sands (Johnny Depp), a corrupt CIA agent, recruits the reclusive hero to sabotage an assassination plot against the president of Mexico, which has been conceived by the evil cartel kingpin Barrillo (Willem Dafoe). But El Mariachi also has his own reasons for returning – blood revenge. The desperado returns with his two trusted sidekicks Lorenzo (Enrique Iglesias) and Fideo (Marco Leonardi). And the legend of El Mariachi reaches new heights of excitement and adventure. Columbia Pictures and Dimension Films Present Once Upon a Time in Mexico starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and Johnny Depp. Also starring Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes, Danny Trejo, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Leonardi, Cheech Marin, Rubén Blades and Willem Dafoe. Once Upon a Time in Mexico was written and directed by Robert Rodriguez. The film was produced by Elizabeth Avellán, Carlos Gallardo and Robert Rodriguez. The director of photography, editor, production designer and composer is Robert Rodriguez. The costume designer is Graciela Mazón. Once Upon a Time in Mexico will be released on September 12, 2003. The film has been rated R by the MPAA for strong violence and language. [More]

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, Salma Hayek, Ruben Blades

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, Salma Hayek, Ruben Blades, Willem Dafoe, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Leonardi, Mickey Rourke, Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin, Eva Mendes

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Director: Robert Rodriguez
Screenwriter: Robert Rodriguez
Producer: Robert Rodriguez
Composer: Robert Rodriguez
Studio: Columbia Pictures

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Reviews for Once Upon a Time in Mexico

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: Dark Horizons | comment Comment
04/02/05
Garth Franklin
Garth Franklin
Dark Horizons
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: In Film Australia | comment Comment
03/16/04
Luke Buckmaster
Luke Buckmaster
In Film Australia
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Over the top and all over the place, Once Upon A Time In Mexico is as unruly as it characters: joyously style-driven as a Bond movie but with its own set of style guidelines.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
02/24/04
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

...a cartoonish action movie that entertains without garnering empathy for any of its characters, with the exception of Ruben Blades' Jorge.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
06/13/09
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

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Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Mark Halverson
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review

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Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: NYC Film Critic | comment Comment
03/05/05
Ethan Alter
Ethan Alter
NYC Film Critic

Occasionally hits heights worthy of its Sergio Leone-inspired title ... but its manic invention exhausts more than enthralls.

Full Review Source: Portland Mercury | comment Comment
01/21/05
Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright
Portland Mercury

To be fair, Rodriguez's wicked dialogue does elicit some laughs amongst the on-screen carnage.

Full Review Source: Kansas City Kansan | comment Comment
10/14/04
Steve Crum
Steve Crum
Kansas City Kansan

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: tonymedley.com | comment Comment
10/07/04
Tony Medley
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com

A splendid cast and spectacular orgies of carnage combine to produce a surprisingly creaky, labored, and boring movie.

Full Review Source: Style Weekly (Richmond, VA) | comment Comment
09/23/04
Thomas Peyser
Thomas Peyser
Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)

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Full Review Source: Sunday Times (Australia) | comment Comment
03/01/04
Sunday Times (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
01/15/04
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Once Upon a Time in Mexico is the film I've wanted to see from Robert Rodriguez since he made Desperado in 1995.

Full Review Source: Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) | comment Comment
01/05/04
Greg Maki
Greg Maki
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

Once Upon a Time in America is an action packed western fairy tale. It may not make much sense... but then, it doesn’t have to.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment 1 Comment
01/01/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

An enjoyable cap to the El Mariachi trilogy that occasionally disappoints, but never mars the good name of its predecessors

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
11/16/03
Brian Mckay
Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com

This is a film with too many dum dums and not enough drama.

Full Review Source: RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) | comment 1 Comment
11/14/03
Harry Guerin
Harry Guerin
RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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all

Latest News for Once Upon a Time in Mexico

May 08, 2007: Banderas Denies "Sin City 2" Gig
Just because he's worked with Robert Rodriguez a half-dozen times already, that doesn't mean Antonio Banderas is a lock to appear in "Sin City 2" -- despite what... More...

April 06, 2006: Critical Consensus: Take Or Leave This "Lead,: An Odd "Number," "Benchwarmers"
This week at the movies, we explore the joys of dance ("Take the Lead"), mistaken identity ("Lucky Number Slevin"), our national pastime ("The... More...

September 18, 2002: Film fans know Robert Rodriguez as the man who made the inexpensive indie hit, 'El Mariachi' -- In 2003 he brings badass guitar cases back into fashion with 'Once Upon a Time in Mexico,' the third installment of the Mariachi legend. Opens in new window
More...

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