By Matt Meyer (September 28, 2003)

Once Upon a Time In Mexico, directed by Robert Rodriguez is the third, and hopefully final chapter in the El Mariachi saga.

The plot is simple at times, and just when you say, "Okay, yeah I know what’s going on," BANG, bullets fly out of nowhere and you’re confused again. Along the way, though, I did get some sense of the basic synopsis. Agent Sands (Johnny Depp) works for the CIA, and is out to find El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), the best gunslinger in Latin America. 

The president of Mexico is in danger of being assassinated and losing his grasp of Mexico to revolutionaries and a corrupt mob boss (Willem Dafoe). Agent Sands knows that only the quick hands of a nomadic gunfighter can save the president. Sands studies Mariachi’s past and finds that his gun fighting talent is fueled by the undying passion for the revenge of his wife’s death.

Although, this film might be filled with action to the brim, it lacks a crucial plot development. It’s safe to say that it tried to cover too much ground, but in far too little time. 

There were some pros to this fiesta of a disappointment. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Johnny Depp gives another class A performance. There are amazingly choreographed fights, and action-packed scenes and that’s it. Rent Desperado, and save the $7.50. This isn’t anything but a Steven Seagal disaster, with salsa on the side.