Once Upon a Time in Mexico

2003, Action, 1h 41m

167 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

Violent, pulpy, loopy fun, with Depp stealing the show. Read critic reviews

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Once Upon a Time in Mexico Photos

Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)

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Movie Info

Return of the mythic guitar-slinging hero, El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), in the final installment of the Mariachi/Desperado trilogy. The saga continues as El Mariachi makes his way across a rugged landscape on the blood trail of Barrillo (Willem Dafoe), a cartel kingpin with one last score to settle who is planning a coup d'etat against the president of Mexico. Enlisted by Sands (Johnny Depp), a corrupt CIA agent, El Mariachi demands retribution.

Rating:

R (Strong Language|Language)
Genre:

Action
Original Language:

English
Director:

Robert Rodriguez
Producer:

Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellan, Carlos Gallardo
Writer:

Robert Rodriguez
Release Date (Theaters):

Sep 12, 2003 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Jan 20, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA):

$55.8M
Runtime:

1h 41m
Distributor:

Columbia Pictures
Sound Mix:

Surround

Cast & Crew

Antonio Banderas
El Mariachi

Salma Hayek
Carolina

Johnny Depp
CIA Agent Sands

Mickey Rourke
Billy Chambers

Willem Dafoe
Barrillo

Eva Mendes
Ajedrez

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Once Upon a Time in Mexico

Rank Salma Hayek’s 10 Best Movies

Robert Rodriguez’s 10 Best Movies

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Critic Reviews for Once Upon a Time in Mexico

All Critics (167) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (110) | Rotten (57)

Full Review… Neil Norman London Evening Standard

Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media

Full Review… Marrit Ingman Austin Chronicle

Full Review… Nev Pierce BBC.com

Full Review… Jeremiah Kipp Slant Magazine

Full Review… Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com

Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews

Full Review… Felicia Feaster Creative Loafing

Full Review… Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News

Full Review… R.L. Shaffer IGN DVD

Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com

Full Review… Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed

View All Critic Reviews (167)

Audience Reviews for Once Upon a Time in Mexico

Jul 05, 2013

Robert Rodriguez delivers an explosive, action-packed adventure in Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Famed gunman El Mariachi is recruited by a CIA agent to kill a militia general during an engineered coup that will overthrow the Mexican president. The film features an all-star cast that includes Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, Danny Trejo, and Eva Mendes; who all give strong performances. And Rodriguez does an especially good job directing; keeping the action fast-paced, but staying focused on the characters. Once Upon a Time in Mexico is an exciting action film that provides a thrilling conclusion to Rodriguez's Mexico Trilogy.

Dann M Super Reviewer
Dec 22, 2012

With an all-star cast and dynamic visualization, Rodriguez's third installment of the "El Mariachi" trilogy surpasses those that followed. With a dazzling presentation, violent storytelling and surprising performance from Johnny Depp, the film is a joy for those who love Rodriguez's films and/or just plain enjoy action films. 4/5

Eugene B Super Reviewer
Feb 06, 2012

Here we see the building of Robert Rodriguez into a domestic superstar who was about to take the world by storm. A fitting extension to the artistic violent look of El Mariachi and Desparado, this is strong and sexy.

John B Super Reviewer
Jul 13, 2011

Not the send off expected

Brendan N Super Reviewer

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