Desperado **** (1995, Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Joaquim de Almeida ) – Classic Movie Review 594

Though writer-director Robert Rodriguez’s 1995 movie masquerades as a sequel to his prize-winning breakthrough independent movie El Mariachi (1992), this is actually more or less a big-budget remake. Antonio Banderas successfully takes over the role of the hapless itinerant singer-musician El Mariachi, who this time is out to avenge the murder of his lover and the maiming of his fretting hand.

A case of mistaken identity leads to corpses everywhere, involvement with the beautiful Carolina (Salma Hayek), who works for the local drug lord Bucho (Joaquim de Almeida), and of course on to the final showdown.

The action sequences in this bloody Western action-thriller hybrid are totally in-your-face, and they’re slickly handled by Rodriguez in an explosive movie that owes a big debt to Sergio Leone. Cameo appearances by the likes of Quentin Tarantino (the pick-up guy) add kudos to the proceedings. Though Tarantino wasn’t initially cast, the character he plays was based on him. Buscemi originally had the role, but they swapped when Tarantino wanted to play the part.

The excellent cult favourite cast includes Steve Buscemi, Cheech Marin and Danny Trejo. Guillermo Navarro’s cinematography makes it look outstanding.

Carlos Gallardo, the star of El Mariachi, appears in a cameo as Campa.

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 594

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