Once Upon a Time in Mexico Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A blind CIA agent manipulates a guitar-playing hitman and an ex-FBI agent to stop a Mexican coup all because he wants to eat the world’s best puerco pibil one last time.

🍿 Once Upon a Time in Mexico: Detailed Plot Synopsis

El Mariachi’s Return

The film opens with El Mariachi, haunted by the murder of his wife and daughter, being drawn back into action by CIA agent Sands. Sands needs El Mariachi’s skills to prevent a coup against the President of Mexico. This sets the stage for a complex web of alliances and betrayals in the dangerous world of Mexican cartels and government corruption.

A Web of Intrigue

Sands manipulates various players, including retired FBI agent Ramirez, to achieve his goals. The plot thickens as drug lord Barillo plans a coup with the corrupt General Marquez. Deception and double-crosses become the norm as characters pursue their own agendas amidst the chaos. Loyalties shift, and no one is truly who they seem.

Betrayal and Loss

Sands is betrayed and blinded, while Ramirez uncovers Barillo’s scheme. El Mariachi’s past continues to haunt him as he confronts Marquez, the man responsible for his family’s death. The violence escalates as the coup unfolds, leading to a final showdown where alliances are tested and lives are lost.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas): A legendary gunslinger and guitar player, seeking revenge and recruited to prevent a coup.
• Sands (Johnny Depp): A corrupt CIA agent manipulating events to his advantage, even after losing his eyesight.
• Barillo (Willem Dafoe): A ruthless drug lord plotting to overthrow the Mexican government.
• Marquez (Gerardo Vigil): A corrupt Mexican general hired by Barillo to assassinate the President and lead a coup.
• Carolina (Salma Hayek): El Mariachi’s deceased wife, appearing in flashbacks, fueling his quest for revenge.
• Jorge Ramirez (Rubén Blades): A former FBI agent seeking revenge on Barillo for the murder of his partner.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Agent Sands: “Are you a Mexi-CAN or a Mexi-CAN’T?” – Sands asks this to Cucuy to test his loyalty and willingness to follow his orders.
• Agent Sands: “Just because I’m pretending to be blind doesn’t mean I can’t see you.” – Agent Sands says this after losing his eyes, demonstrating his still-formidable abilities.
• El Mariachi: “I think you’re the worst CIA agent I’ve ever met.” – El Mariachi expresses his low opinion of Sands’ methods and chaotic approach.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $29,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $56,359,780
• Worldwide Gross: $98,769,390

💥 Once Upon a Time in Mexico Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting a fun action movie, and it delivered! The action scenes were insane, especially the church shootout. I loved how over-the-top everything was, and Johnny Depp was hilarious as the corrupt CIA agent. Salma Hayek’s flashbacks added a nice emotional touch. It was a bit confusing at times, but who cares when there are explosions and guitar riffs? Definitely a guilty pleasure movie that I’ll watch again!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy stylized violence”
  • “Fans of Robert Rodriguez’s filmmaking style”
  • “Those who appreciate ensemble casts”
  • “People interested in stories of revenge and political intrigue”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence and gore”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Rodriguez’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Mexico’ bursts with action and boasts a star-studded cast, led by Banderas and Depp. It’s visually inventive, a trademark of the director, but the convoluted plot often overshadows the characters. The movie’s breakneck pace and stylish violence will entertain action fans, but those seeking a coherent story might feel lost.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “While some found the plot muddled, Johnny Depp’s performance shines through in ‘Once Upon a Time in Mexico’. The over-the-top action and Rodriguez’s distinct style appeal to fans of the genre. Despite its flaws, the film provides an engaging and humorous cinematic experience, standing out for its unique blend of violence and wit.
• Metacritic: “A wild ride filled with Rodriguez’s signature flair, ‘Once Upon a Time in Mexico’ leans heavily on style over substance. The complex narrative can be confusing, but the dynamic action sequences and strong performances keep it afloat. It delivers as a visually exciting and entertaining action film despite its narrative shortcomings.

Audience Reactions

Johnny Depp’s quirky performance as Sands stole the show!: Audiences loved the over-the-top action and stylized violence, making it a fun, albeit chaotic, ride.

The action sequences were brilliantly choreographed and highly entertaining.: Fans appreciated the mix of humor and action, with many citing the movie as a classic Rodriguez experience.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and action-packed conclusion to the El Mariachi trilogy, though the convoluted plot may divide viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Johnny Depp shot all of his scenes in just eight days. He enjoyed the experience so much that he suggested to Robert Rodriguez that he play a small part as the priest that Antonio Banderas talks to in the church, doing a Marlon Brando impression.”
• “Robert Rodriguez edited, wrote, directed, produced, and operated the camera. He also composed some of the music for the film.”
• “That is Mickey Rourke’s own Chihuahua.”

🖥️ How to Watch Once Upon a Time in Mexico?

Once Upon a Time in Mexico is available to rent or purchase on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Once Upon a Time in Mexico, you might like these similar films:

• Desperado (1995): Direct sequel to ‘El Mariachi’, continuing the story of the guitar-slinging hero with similar action and style.
• Machete (2010): Another Robert Rodriguez film with over-the-top violence, dark humor, and a focus on Mexican characters and themes.
• Sin City (2005): Similar visual style and graphic violence, also directed by Robert Rodriguez.
• The Wild Bunch (1969): Classic Western with intense violence and a cynical view of morality, sharing themes of loyalty and betrayal.

🛒 Once Upon a Time in Mexico Related Products

• Once Upon a Time in Mexico [Blu-ray]: Experience the high-definition visual feast with enhanced audio. The Blu-ray edition includes behind-the-scenes footage and director’s commentary, offering an immersive experience for fans.
• Desperado Trilogy [DVD]: Complete your El Mariachi collection with all three films in one set. This box set is a must-have for enthusiasts of Robert Rodriguez’s iconic series, featuring special editions with bonus content.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Once Upon a Time in Mexico – El Mariachi: Add a touch of El Mariachi style to your collection with this Funko Pop! figure. Capturing the iconic look of Antonio Banderas’ character, this collectible is perfect for fans and Funko enthusiasts.
• Once Upon a Time in Mexico – Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying your love for this action-packed film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Once Upon a Time in Mexico features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Malagueña Salerosa” – performed by Chingon
• “Siente Mi Amor” – performed by Salma Hayek
• “Cuka Rocka” – performed by Los Lobos
• “Sands’ Theme” – performed by Johnny Depp, Bill Carter, Bruce Witkin and Ruth Ellsworth

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Binging with Babish: Puerco Pibil from Once Upon a Time in Mexico

Calling all food enthusiasts and ‘Once Upon a Time in Mexico’ fans! Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with Binging with Babish’s recreation of the iconic Puerco Pibil dish. Trust me, this video is a culinary adventure you won’t want to miss.

Salma Hayek Shares Traumatic Experience Shooting ‘Desperado’ Love Scene | THR News

Curious about the untold stories behind ‘Desperado’? Dive into this interview with Salma Hayek as she candidly shares a challenging experience during the filming of the iconic love scene. Her insights will shed new light on the movie’s production and inspire you to appreciate the film even more.

Puerco Pibil by Robert Rodriguez

Calling all foodies and ‘Desperado’ enthusiasts! Join director Robert Rodriguez in the kitchen as he unveils the secrets behind the mouthwatering Puerco Pibil dish from the movie. This video is a delightful combination of cooking and behind-the-scenes insights that will leave you craving for more.

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