Once Upon a Time in Mexico (Expanded)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Robert Rodriguez is a very skilled director, his Mariachi films are legendary pieces of violence but wrapped in a fetching style of artistic painting that they hurt nobody, The Faculty and From Dusk till Dawn are extremely enjoyable horror movies while Spy Kids became less with each one that followed, but at least the visual style was fun. That's were he learned to become a composer, first throwing a bunch of composers together, then teaming up with John Debney for the more difficult pieces on the second and solo wise on Spy Kids 3, which wasn't a success. But a type like Once Upon a Time in Mexico, or El Mariachi 3 is a better test ground since the Hispanic flavor runs through his veins. And the original soundtrack proved how well the songs and score made a fun soundtrack. But much was missing still and seeing the film made me realize how well Rodriguez' score functioned in the whole. And it made me search for more of that test ground. And there is such a case of "yee search and yee will find", since there exists an expanded case and that is what's presented here. First of all, I still believe the biggest and best piece is still missing (I might be wrong) but I believe its not on this score. However, with 50 minutes you realize Rodriguez crafted a well score (considering its not his niche) and Once Upon a Time in Mexico is a subject for consideration, since its easy to appreciate, and easy to like. Its basically Rodriguez creating an orchestral score with solo instruments as guitar and vocals to give a Hispanic fluent tone which works well as pleaser. The 'Opening' for instance is cool alone for the burst of the theme (which is never heard again) of brass. 'Guitar Town Part 2' brings some electric guitar work but also an emotion like anger piece, which presents well what happens on screen. And you start to realize Robert has got more tricks up the wazoo.

He composed a love theme, heard mostly on solo guitar, like in the begin of 'Church Shootout' that follows with some orchestra growing in a more light action mode while 'Wedding Memories' presents it again with the sole score's found effect mixed in, but considering a closing box sound isn't bad at all. A Spanish vocal with guitar in 'Eye Patch' brings new ideas while a danger theme and Sand's theme (another one) is heard in 'Sand's Plan'. Gunshots and vocals mixed in a rather enjoyable piece of light techno in a Spanish outing, it worked to please the trailer as music, it worked in the film and of course Juno Reactor does his best with 'Pistolero'. 'Killing Cucuy and Escape from the General' is one of the best tracks, love theme, electric guitar stating back the feel of track 3 while Sand's theme and a marching tone erupts the whirling strings. Really all this together makes for a fun track. 'The Man With no Eyes' sets up some rhythmic flavor while Sand's theme is supported by maraca's, again showing difference. The dark theme with whirling returning strings, intimate guitar and brassy rhythms finishing it, 'Coup de Etat' is another fun track. Brassy fanfares in 16, a great rushing orchestral feel in 17 (definitely the most powerful track) and the electric guitar setting again that emotive rage in 20. 'Payback and Cycle Boy' ends powerfully with Sand's theme, the love theme with vocals in 'Sienti mi Amour' and Sand's theme in a powerful concert suite like form for 'Sand's Theme', it all shows how well the themes worked and work. Once Upon a Time in Mexico, the expanded format shows that Rodriguez really nailed the musical tone and it made the film a lot more enjoyable. That the best moment is still not found on this disc might make it a light disappointment, its still enough proof that Rodriguez knows his Hispanic voice. He can not (yet) totally perfect his music, because the overall music can't bring that decisive blast, that final punch. But considering how well he wrote it, then consider just how fun it is to hear it.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Guitar Town Part 1 (0.57)

2. Opening (1.34)

3. Guitar Town Part 2 (2.48)

4. Church Shootout (3.03)

5. Wedding Memories (1.44)

6. Eye Patch (1.43)

7. Sand's Plan (1.01)

8. Sands And AJ (0.39)

9. Following Bill Chambers (3.14)

10. I Have To Kill You All (1.29)

11. Pistolero * (3.21)

12. Killing Cucuy And Escape From The General (3.51)

13. Day Of The Dead (2.28)

14. The Man With No Eyes (4.10)

15. Coup De Etat (2.47)

16. Fighting Back (0.52)

17. Sons Of Mexico (2.38)

18. Shooting Back (1.31)

19. Taking Back The City (1.32)

20. Mariachi Vs. Marquez (2.07)

21. Sands Vs. AJ (1.08)

22. Payback And Cycle Boy (3.01)

23. Sienti Mi Amour (3.22)

24. Sands Theme (3.24)

* Composed by Juno Reactor

Total Length: 54.35

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