'Once upon a time in Mexico' is so hot it’s cool

Once upon a time in Mexico

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Cast: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp

Cert: 18

This third film in the trilogy that began with the wonderful El Mariachi and continued with Desperado sees writer/director Rodriguez turn up the heat yet again in this Western-style action film; and this time he's got a bigger budget!

As with Young Adam (and here’s where the similarity ends) a tragic romance is told in flashback as the brooding paramour (Banderas) exacts revenge for the death of his girlfriend (Hayek). Depp plays a rogue CIA agent who lines up Banderas and his mariachi mates (including Enrique Iglesias!) to kill a corrupt general who, in turn, is intent on killing the Mexican president and starting a bloody coup. Banderas and co are happy to play ball, turns out this is the same general who killed his woman.

Banderas is true to form as the guitar-playing, gun-toting tough guy and Hayek is sultry and dangerous as his erstwhile girlfriend in this fast and furious action romp. But it’s the sweaty and seductive Depp who lights up the screen as he continues to rebuild his A-list status following the success of Pirates Of The Caribbean. Ultimately, however, Rodriguez holds all the cards, he shot, edited and scored the film too, delivering his now signature high definition digi-video style with bags of vigour and panache.

Star rating: 4/5