|
Once
Upon a Time in Mexico
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Wayne
Klein |
| Genre: |
Action |
| Video: |
1.78:1 Widescreen
Anamorphic |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
5.1 |
| Languages:
|
English,
French |
| Subtitles:
|
English,
French |
| Length: |
102 minutes
|
| Rating: |
R |
| Release Date:
|
1/20/04 |
| Studio: |
Columbia/Tristar
Home Video |
| Commentary:
|
Robert Rodriguez
|
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
5 |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
An Evening
with Robert Rodriguez |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Both are included |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
Deleted scenes
8 deleted scenes with optional commentary Music Video: None
|
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
DVD-Rom Shooting
Gallery; music and design track with commentary; Inside Troublemaker
Studios |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Antonio Banderas,
Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe |
| Written
By: |
Robert Rodriguez
|
| Produced
By: |
Robert Rodriguez
and Elizabeth Avellan |
| Directed
By: |
Robert Rodriguez
|
| Music:
|
Robert Rodriguez |
| The
Review: |
Life, death and the pursuit of killing
seems to be at the heart of Robert Rodriguez's aptly titled
Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Clearly inspired by Sergio Leone's
magnum opus, Rodriguez's latest film is short on story and
long but long on action and violence. Although it isn't quite
as good as the previous two films in this trilogy, Mexico
has a number of stylized action sequences to make it worthwhile
for action movie buffs. **
El Mariachi (Banderas) is drawn
out of retirement by kooky CIA agent Sands (Depp) to prevent
the fall of the Mexican government. El Mariachi trails the
the man behind this plan (Willem Dafoe)across the dusty Mexican
landscape Guns blaze, tempers flare and people die in the
process. The lines blur between the good guys & the bad guys
and but only El Mariachi with his good looks, long stylish
hair and quick hands seems up to the task of keeping things
together. Although the film almost seems like an empty exercise
in action and stylized design, Mexico is redeemed by a number
of strong performances from Banderas, Depp Dafoe and Rueben
Blades. ---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
Shot using high definition video
digital cameras, Mexico looks very good on DVD. The transfer
is almost as sharp as that done for the first two Star Wars
movies. Although it can't compare to some of the Superbit
Special Editions Columbia/Tristar has been releasing lately
(here's a hint, wait awhile as I have the feeling this is
going to be released in the same format down the road), Mexico
looks better than just about anything released out there at
the moment. The usual analog flaws aren't evident because
of the digital format used to shoot and transfer for the film..
***
The 5.1 Surround format is used
extremely well creating an environment that fits in with the
visual look and texture of the film. Obviously almost as much
care went into the mastering of the soundtrack as went into
the visual transfer. ---
|
| The
Extras: |
Here's where
the DVD really excels. The director's 10 Minute Film School
featurette continues where the Spy Kidz 2 left off. It's also
one of the most entertaining featurettes on the disc along with
the 10 Minute Cook School (which is, in reality, a little bit
over 6 minutes) where we learn to cook the disc associated with
Johnny Depp's character in the film. I have to admit that I
found the extras more entertaining than the film itself and
shorter. Clearly the director relishes the opportunity to put
together special edition releases of his film. This film along
with the last two Spy Kids releases have supplementary sections
that are entertaining and designed with film fans in mind. |
| Commentary:
|
The director's
hyperkinetic commentary turned out to be the best part of the
movie for me. He reveals lots of tidbits about the making of
the film, the inspiration behind it and the pros and cons of
working outside the Hollywood factory. Just a thought--how about
a commentary track about the direction/film by everybody but
the director! Since Rodriguez seems to like to turn Hollywood
conventions inside out, it might be something for him to pursue
on future editions of his films. He clearly has a ball directing
the cast and has considerable affection for his stable of regular
performers. --- |
| Final
Words: |
The stylized
violence and performances make Mexico worth watching. Although
the writing is fairly weak (a common problem with films by Rodriguez),
the sharp acting, beautiful landscape and extras make this violent
fairy tale worth a look. Like the first two films in this series,
Mexico is all about the action and the performances of the main
actors. Everything else including logic seems secondary. |
