Movie Review: Desperado (1995)

Desperado (1995) produced, written, and directed by Robert Rodriguez

In pursuit of Bucho (Joaquim de Almeida), the man responsible for his wife's murder, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas) travels to a Mexican border town. He has his one friend (Steve Buscemi) go ahead and scout out the situation. When the friend mentions Bucho's name at a seedy bar, the situation gets very tense. This is the town where revenge will go down.

The movie has a very basic premise that moves the plot along. The joy is in the style and the over-the-top reality Rodgriguez creates. El Mariachi used to be a guitar player but now his case is full of weapons. When he comes to town, all hell breaks loose. The fight scenes are epically scored and choreographed. It's visually delightful for an action fan. The body count is very high and the villain, a local drug lord, is appropriately vicious and cunning. El Mariachi falls in with local bookstore owner Carolina (Selma Hayek) who is also in the drug lord's pocket. In order to get out, she teams up with him. They work their way through the henchmen until they get to the drug lord's compound for the final battle.

Banderas makes a good lead. He can carry the heaviness of his character while still being charming and having compassion for others. A small boy in town has a guitar. El Mariachi gives him a quick lesson and some advice. This act makes him different from the other killers in the movie, something needed to give him more sympathy. A lot of famous actors (Buscemi, Cheech Marin, Quentin Tarantino, Danny Trejo) show up briefly as allies or nemeses. They do good in their small roles without any time to become the larger-than-life character that Banderas is. Hayek is good though she is a bit hampered by being the love interest.

Rodriguez has a keen eye for interesting visual shots and is able to bring in a lot of ridiculous elements that fit in because the overall story is so over the top. I enjoy this type of film, though I felt like the love scene between Banderas and Hayek was too long and not necessary. Such scenes seem to be a staple of action films and stories (I'm looking at you, Jack Reacher), though I would like it better without.

Mildly recommended--it's a stylish action film that is fun to watch without too much thinking.