Survival Arts

"Once Upon a Time in Mexico": a stinker

Another Netflix arrival I viewed in the last couple of weeks: "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." My short take: don't bother. Yes, this movie has its moments, but those moments are remarkable in their contrast to the dull rolling cliche of the rest of this overlong "contractual obligation" flick. What a waste of the lovely Selma Hayek, the talented Willem Dafoe, the sometimes interesting Mickey Rourke, and the solid Rubén Blades. The only saving grace to this movie is the over-the-top performance by Johnny Depp, who rendered Banderas' bland performance even less memorable by comparison.

My friend Geoff and I - in a rambling Memorial Day barbeque chat about this film - both expressed our annoyance that Banderas (a Spaniard) literally wrapped himself in the Mexican flag. As I said, don't bother.

On a totally unrelated note, I see that one of the bit actors is named "Dagoberto Gama." I've never seen that given name... I can't help but think Dogbert.