Bandidas (2006)

Bandidas: Directed by Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg. With Penélope Cruz, Salma Hayek, Steve Zahn, Dwight Yoakam. In turn-of-the-century Mexico, two very different women become a bank-robbing duo in an effort to combat a ruthless enforcer terrorizing their town.

“Set in Mexico in the 1800s, a violently strong banking corporation is moving in on Mexican lands, trying to muscle out the Mexicans off their own land. A spoiled brat lady and a farmeru0026#39;s daughter find themselves victims of such oppression, and together have bonded to unite in a cause against the banking corporation. Eventually, the two became bank robbers, bandidas who rob the oppressors to avenge and restore the rightful property of their people.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis movie is based upon the idea of its producer, the highly respected film director-producer Luc Besson, who was responsible for films like Leon: The Professional and The Fifth Element. Bandidas is directed by Joachim Roenning and Espen Sandberg.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBeing a big fan of Sergio Leoneu0026#39;s classic Spaghetti westerns (like the Clint Eastwood classics u0026quot;A Fistful of Dollars, The Good, The Bad, u0026amp; the Ugly, and the Charles Bronson revenge epic u0026quot;Once Upon A Time in the Westu0026quot;), I appreciated the manner in which the director employed subtle Sergio Leone shots and sequences, not to mention a little of Ennio Morriconeu0026#39;s music to spice up the little moments of Sergio Leone homage. But, of course, the film has the fast pace of a typical enjoyable action-adventure. There is one action sequence wherein the technique of bullet-time (as pioneered by the Matrix movies) was smartly used in a well done, impressive sequence.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn terms of brands and generalizations, the closest in comparison to this movie, being a popcorn action chick flick, is Charlieu0026#39;s Angels. But while the Charlieu0026#39;s Angels and its sequel may have been crammed with absolute unoriginality and badly-recycled tricks, Bandidas, on the other hand, is quite healthy with its own potentials. First of all, these 2 main characters are very attractive, not only in terms of beauty and sufficient cleavage exposure, but also in terms of their on screen chemistry, their chuckle-worthy bickerings and arguments, not to mention their vibrant aura on screen.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003ePenelope Cruz, for instance, who plays a somewhat simpleminded farmgirl acts convincingly dumbed down, to have the appeal which reminds you of Joey and Phoebe from the Friends TV series. Salma Hayek as the sophisticated and educated brat shows a radiant and spunky side of her on this role. i cant believe how delightfully ageless Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz are on this movie. While their nagging arguments may sounds a bit annoying in the trailers, I eventually grew to realize that when you watched the movie in its entirety, their noisy arguments are indeed hilarious and oftentimes cute. Although itu0026#39;s such a forgettable role, country singer Dwight Yoakam pulled off a satisfactory performance as the main villain of this movie. Sam Sheppard also appears as the Bandidasu0026#39; mentor. And the film also stars Steve Zahn, who plays a quirky young scientist who obviously is trying to pioneer the science of crime forensics.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere is a thought-provoking pro-Mexican, Anti-American colonialism plot in this movie, which I suspect may be the reason why this film isnu0026#39;t out on US theaters yet; it isnu0026#39;t even listed to be set for release in US theaters anytime soon. Which is a shame, since this film really deserves a spotlight attention. Sure, itu0026#39;s a mere popcorn flick, but itu0026#39;s good as one.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDo not be fooled by the filmu0026#39;s lack of, or unappealing sense of marketing; this film really is big and deserves a summer blockbuster treatment. Itu0026#39;s unexpectedly good! Itu0026#39;s irresistibly charming! BANDIDAS is the summer big action-adventure that not many have known of yet.”