Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)

Being the third film in the series (El Mariachi 3 or Desperado 2), this film holds little in common with the previous two besides similar characters.  The first film is a story about mistaken identity.  The second of revenge.  Both revolve around one character, El Mariachi.  The third film is so packed with different characters and subplots that is seems that our good friend El is merely playing a supporting role. The story centers around a powerful druglord’s attempt to overthrow the Mexican government and is told via a number of different characters views. It’s not he best film in the series, but overall it is pretty enjoyable.  The action is explosive and the camera work is fantastic.  Rodriguez found a lot of freedom in the digital cameras he used, and he seems to revel in it. But, by the time you’ve figured out what everyone is up to, and why they are up to it, you find it wasn’t worth the effort. Rodriguez’s friend and fellow God of Filmmaking Quentin Tarantino suggested the film and the title.  He pointed out the similarities between Rodriguez’s career and that of Sergio Leone.  He compared Rodriguez’s El Mariachi and Desperado to Leone’s A fist Full of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More.  Tarantino said that the logical progression would be Once Upon a Time in Mexico to balance with Once upon a Time in the West. (Written and Directed by Robert Rodriguez)