Review: Robert Rodriguez Sets the Bar High with ‘Desperado’

In the scorching heat of August 1995, Antonio Banderas exploded into the mainstream world of action movies and goddamn did he make an impression! Starring as ‘El Mariachi’ in director Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado,” the second film based around the character, Banderas led the charge of a wildly fun cast chock full of Rodriguez staples as well as come of the best character actors of the time. Oh. And yes… portraying Carolina, the living goddess Salma Hayek in her breakthrough role.

“Desperado” carefully walks a few thin lines between genres all while refusing to allow itself to be boxed into any one corner. The gritty cinematography paints a flick aesthetically resembling the grind house B Movie cult classics of the ‘70s. Though nearly through the same means, you get the feel of a modern day spaghetti western. It’s never easy for a movie to blur these kind of genre lines and do it successfully. Though somehow, Robert Rodriguez not only pulls it off, he actually kind of sets the bar at how you have multi-task the tone through a number of hills and valleys yet keep it well framed within the same pre-defined continuity

With a wonderful cast including Cheech Marin, Danny Tejo, Steve Buscemi, and Quentin Tarantino in a show-stealing, blink and you’ll miss it role—this cast is killer. Speaking of QT, his very “Pulp Fiction”-esque scene is a highlight of the movie. It’s not often his acting chops really really shine (Damn Jimmy this is some fine coffee). But in this scene, he displays a killer comedic timing and such a natural screen presence it actually makes you question his decision not to feature himself more often in his post-“Pulp Fiction” films. Also, please learn this dialogue and recite this joke to your friends. You—and they—will thank me for it.

Banderas and Hayek sizzle on screen together; their chemistry could fuel a nuclear bomb. Without hesitation, Hayek proved herself to be the greatest lady in Hollywood—a role which she still owns to this day, nearly twenty-five years later. Banderas on the other hand used the success of this film to really kick his pre-existing momentum into high gear. It’s hard to argue with him being one of the best action stars of the ‘90s. Even if all that street cred is really based on this excellent performance and fantastic movie.

“Once Upon a Time In Mexico” reunited a lot of the cast, brought in some fresh faces (a blind Johnny Depp) and rounded out this trilogy. Robert Rodriguez’s post “Desperado” career is a little hit and miss; his hits being “Planet Terror,” his misses being the eighty-three “Spy Kids” flicks. But back on a scorching August day in 1995, he, Antonio Bandares, and Salma Hayek set fire the world of cinema!