sme_no_densetsu In 1992, Robert Rodriguez burst onto the Hollywood scene with "El Mariachi", a movie that grossed two million dollars despite a minuscule budget of about $7,000. For his next feature film, "Desperado", he had a modest but healthy budget of $7,000,000; literally a thousand times more than what he had at his disposal for his previous project.Although "Desperado" is a sequel to "El Mariachi", it isn't necessary to have seen the first film in order to follow this one. Personally, I have never seen "El Mariachi" and I found "Desperado" to be perfectly understandable. After all, the story is a fairly simplistic one. Basically, a musician seeks revenge for the death of his lover and will stop at nothing until he achieves his goal.Playing the mysterious musician at the centre of the story is Antonio Banderas. His glamorous look and facility with action sequences is well suited to the movie's stylized violence. Salma Hayek, in her first major role, provides a worthy female lead. In support, Steve Buscemi, Cheech Marin & Danny Trejo all contributed memorable performances. Lastly, watch for Quentin Tarantino in a small role.When it comes to Rodriguez's script, it's as sharp as his direction. The story's revenge scenario could have been strictly routine but Rodriguez threw in enough twists and turns to keep the viewer interested from beginning to end. Speaking of which, the movie features a great opening scene that really sets the tone for the rest of the movie. Musically, the movie is pretty solid as well, though I thought that a couple of the soundtrack selections haven't aged too well.Overall, "Desperado" is a stylish, action-packed movie that doesn't take itself too seriously, except when it comes to filmmaking craft. The final entry in Rodriguez's so-called Mexico Trilogy, "Once Upon a Time in Mexico", unfortunately doesn't quite measure up to this. I'd also give "Desperado" the edge over the somewhat similarly themed "Machete".

clearwinner The film opens up as an action film should... with action and the right amount. My expectations became high after the first scene but this time Antonio Banderas made this movie boring. He did not do justice to his character. I always felt as if something was amiss throughout the movie and really there were lots of those things. Definitely there is the typical Mexican cowboy type action but having only that does not solve the purpose of a movie. I hated the lead actor the most followed by the romance or the love at first sight between the two main lead. That scene was nowhere . I mean that scene made me feel very terrible as if something came out of the blue.Well coming to other aspects, the music is okay, the locations are really nice. My final verdict the film loses its charm due to poor script and bad acting.

jackasstrange 'Desperado' has everything that i like to see in action films. It is not totally clumsy, it has a considerably good art direction and also good cinematography(just look at the insane action scenes) and it is fun and over the top. The film has perfect internal logic, even if the logic is totally absurd and messed up. Since assassins throwing knives to bazookas into guitars, this movie has it all. The possible is not limited in the film. And even in the most 'dramatic' moments, the film never take itself too serious. The cast is remarkably good, but the acting is totally left apart. No one even tries to be more than a cartoon char. It also satirizes himself within the film, when Butcho asks to his men: 'Is not easy? Just shoot anyone who carries a gun? Isn't that simple?'. Unbelievable.Anyways, the film is full of remarkable scenes, but between Tarantino telling a hilarious joke and Antonio Banderas jumping backwards from a building while killing three bandits at same time, it don't has that much of a story, so just don't expect nothing more from this than a insane action film and you'll not be disappointed. 6.9/10

tbills2 Worn and battered from his past escapades, a desperate, handsomely clad musician wielding his guitar case with no guitar stumbles into a small Mexican town kept by a crazed crime lord resolute on finding answers to his lost love. May the bloodshed commence. Desperado is no-holds-barred, action-packed, romance presented in the most stylish of fashions. Writer and director Robert Rodriguez delivers an uncompromising and lustful telling with one goal above anything else - to entertain. Intensified shootouts, passionate dialogue and scenery, this movie is gorgeous. Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek are sizzling on-screen. The cast rounds out nicely, the story unfolds very effectively, and all the scenes are well-crafted. Desperado is a sleek, rugged tale aimed to excite and please. It is highly enjoyable. See for yourself.