Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Graphic violence, language in '90s action-thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Desperado
What's the Story?
In DESPERADO, Mariachi (Antonio Banderas) is a former guitarist who is out for revenge. The target of his revenge is a drug lord named Bucho, whose men murdered Mariach's girlfriend in cold blood. As he arrives in a lawless border town with his sidekick Buscemi (Steve Buscemi), he begins to exact his vengeance, to which Bucho retaliates by sending his army of henchmen to kill Mariachi at all costs. Along the way, he finds an ally in Carolina (Salma Hayek), who owns a bookstore in the town and wants the violence in her town to end. Things build to the inevitable confrontation, but when Mariachi learns the truth about Bucho, he's forced to come to terms with his past.
Is It Any Good?
While there was some disappointment for those who loved Robert Rodriguez' first movie El Mariachi, Desperado has stood the test of time. After the shoestring budget of El Mariachi, Desperado had major studio backing, and Rodriguez made the most of it. So much of the humor and style comes from over-the-top exaggeration in the violence, characters, and conflicts. It takes all the exaggeration of a genre that was already exaggerated, the traditional Western movie, and the result is a crazed sample of ‘90s cinema at its best.
As Mariachi, Antonio Banderas manages the balance between the "strong silent" archetype while also embracing the humor of the picture. The supporting cast is comprised of either all-stars or soon-to-be stars, everyone from Steve Buscemi to Cheech Marin to Salma Hayek to Danny Trejo, and each one turns in an appropriately preposterous performance to an enjoyably preposterous movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about exaggerated action thriller movies like Desperado. How does the over-the-top violence drive the style, story, and humor?
How is this movie similar to and different from traditional Western movies?
How does this compare to other "revenge movies," films in which a lead character seeks to get even with those who wronged them?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 25, 1995
- On DVD or streaming : June 27, 1997
- Cast : Antonio Banderas , Salma Hayek , Steve Buscemi
- Director : Robert Rodriguez
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Strong bloody violence, a strong sex sequence and language.
- Last updated : November 3, 2023
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