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Desperado [1996]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £3.10 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

It's Sergio Leone meets Sam Peckinpah meets Quentin Tarantino in this ultra-violent, mythological shoot-'em-up by auteur Robert Rodriguez. In Desperado, Rodriguez creates larger-than-life, genre-tweaking stock characters and puts them through their paces. As they stride bravely through an Old West lightly dusted with camp humour, they're periodically called upon to nimbly dodge bullets and fireballs through outrageously choreographed displays of Hollywood pyrotechnics. In this bigger-budget semi-remake/semi-sequel to Rodriguez's indie sensation, El Mariachi (made, famously, for $7,000), Antonio Banderas is the darkly charismatic El Mariachi, the Mysterious Stranger in town; Steve Buscemi is perfectly cast as his weasely, motor-mouth Comic Sidekick, laying the groundwork for El Mariachi's entrance by spinning saloon stories to build up his legend; Cheech Marin is a standout as the Bartender, who really knows how to handle a toothpick; and gorgeous Salma Hayek is, well, the Girl--treated to the kind of full-blown, slow-movement introduction the movies traditionally lavish on beautiful new stars. It doesn't add up to much but it's a kick. --Jim Emerson

Editorial
Amazon.com

It's Sergio Leone meets Sam Peckinpah meets Quentin Tarantino in this ultra-violent, mythological shoot-'em-up by auteur Robert Rodriguez. In Desperado, Rodriguez creates larger-than-life, genre-tweaking stock characters and puts them through their paces. As they stride bravely through an Old West lightly dusted with camp humour, they're periodically called upon to nimbly dodge bullets and fireballs through outrageously choreographed displays of Hollywood pyrotechnics. In this bigger-budget semi-remake/semi-sequel to Rodriguez's indie sensation, El Mariachi (made, famously, for $7,000), Antonio Banderas is the darkly charismatic El Mariachi, the Mysterious Stranger in town. Steve Buscemi is perfectly cast as his weasely, motor-mouth Comic Sidekick, laying the groundwork for El Mariachi's entrance by spinning saloon stories to build up his legend; Cheech Marin is a standout as the Bartender, who really knows how to handle a toothpick; and gorgeous Salma Hayek is, well, the Girl--treated to the kind of full-blown, slow-mo introduction the movies traditionally lavish on beautiful new stars. It doesn't add up to much, but it's a kick. --Jim Emerson

RODRIGUEZ' FILMS ARE GETTING QUITE GOOD!
Review date: 2008-07-14 Rating: 6 out of 10

DESPERADO is best described as a modern day western. In so many ways better than EL MARIACHI, mostly because of the excellently cast Antonio Banderas, who is just perfect as the Mariachi, this film has though one major problem: it loses itself in those various shoot-outs. There just isn't much more to it, than killing dozens of Bucho's minions. Still an enjoyable effort and a step up by Rodriguez.

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Reviews


Sheer entertainment
Review date: 2008-06-08 Rating: 8 out of 10

No, you cannot possibly take Desperado seriously. The script / story (such as it is) is quite deliberately terrible -'simplistic' would be an overstatement. Think of a cliche even vaguely related to Westerns, or all-out action films of any sort, and you can tick the box -it's in Desperado. And the numerous tongue-in-cheek fight sequences are about as realistic as a 13 year old's excuses for not handing in their math homework. Not that it's alone on either count of course. Not so good so far then?

Well, yes, actually. What it has going for it is the fun factor in abundance. The acting is in fact extremely good, as is the direction, and the whole thing is perfect for those occasions when you can't cope with highbrow art and simply want something that gets on with the serious business of killing on a mass scale, complete with large quantities of wonderfully unrealistic blood flying about. Oddly, it doesn't lack atmosphere either. The soundtrack is inspired, the camera work is wonderfully stylised, and is slickly executed. Banderas's nameless Maraichi drips charisma, either with guitar or custom Ruger semi-automatics (and numerous other pieces of portable artillery) and the whole film has a genuine flare and sense of fun. No, it's not 2001: A Space Odyssey, nor is it ever likely to figure in a list of 100 greatest films of all time. But it doesn't pretend to be something it isn't either: it's an all-out blaster & a deeply unsubtle pastiche at the generes, and as such, makes ideal lightweight entertainment. Well worth having.

Quick Reviews!
Review date: 2007-09-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

The film in which Rodriquez really came to prominence, Desperado is a continuation from his low budget effort 'El Mariachi', which deservedly gained him recognition from big studios as well as indie heroes such as Tarantino. The man with the guitar case full of guns is coming to town, looking for the man who killed the woman he loved. He sends a friend ahead of himself (Buscemi in another great performance) to set the scene- to tell the tale of a deadly encounter with the man who has become a legend, to try and find out if any locals have knowledge of Bucho, the one he believes is responsible for his lover's death. When Banderas finally comes to town several bloodbaths ensue in glorious fashion, and he takes refuge with a local woman played with strength and guts by Salma Hayak. Naturally they fall for each other as The Mariachi gets to the bottom of the mystery.

The film has good performances from all, is very stylish and funny, with excellent dialogue, and the plot admittedly takes a step back to let the action have centre stage. The bullets fly everywhere, the action is fluid and original, and the stunts are all the more impressive because of the tiny budget. The sex scene is memorable, not because it is gratuitous, but because of the lighting and cutting, like much of the film. Violent and loud mouthed, but brilliant fun, and one for aspiring directors who have small budgets, proving that it can be done.

The DVD has a few decent extras- mainly the commentary


interesting and exciting
Review date: 2006-11-04 Rating: 8 out of 10

The charecters are amazing and the story was very good.The main charecter are ANTONIO BANDERAS and SALMA HAYEK.I liked the story of the movie very much but I didnot like the end of the movie because ANTONIO BANDERAS's best friends died in the end of the movie.Generally the movie is very exciting and I recomand it for the hall family.

Lowlife scum encounter the biggest hand-cannons they've ever seen
Review date: 2006-10-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

An ex-Mariachi who can't play guitar anymore because he's been shot in the hand, is out for revenge on the people who robbed him of his profession and killed his girl. He's a nice boy really and he doesn't enjoy killing at all - so it's a shame for him that he has to do so much of it and it's an ironic stroke of luck that he's so good at it. Revenge he takes, and plenty of it, as he works his way towards the baddest baddy of them all: the drug racketeer, Bucho. The blood-spattered violent mayhem and mounting death toll should be shocking - and it would be if it weren't for the fact that it's so entertaining. The film has one of the best beginnings I've ever seen. It starts with an American walking into a Mexican bar where the staff and clientele are unwelcoming almost to the point of hostility. He ignores their unfriendliness and tells them a story about another bar that he's just narrowly escaped from with his life. He soon has them gripped with his dramatic tale. It's a marvellous bit of acting. The next scene shows a Mariachi band (featuring a past performance of our gun-slinging hero whilst he could still play) giving a brilliant performance. The film is generously supplied with fine acting, extraordinary stunts and wonderful music. It's one of those films I'll watch again and again.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Antonio Banderas
Steve Buscemi
Joaquim de Almeida
Salma Hayek
Cheech Marin

Creators:
Antonio Banderas (Primary Contributor)
Salma Hayek (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Columbia Tri-Star Home Video
Manufacturer: Columbia Tri-Star Home Video
EAN: 5035822171596
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-09-15
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1995-08-25
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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