Bandidas (2006)

Seen: On dvd on my laptop, rented from netflix.

I came across the poster for Bandidas when I was researching international movie poster designs (as I do), and thought it looked fantastic from the French poster alone. Sexy Salma Hayek teams up with equally sexy Penelope Cruz to rob some banks in Old-timey Mexico? I mean, my god. The details of the plot (if you needed more information for some reason) are as follows: Evil American assholes led by Tyler Jackson (Dwight Yoakam) are taking over land in Mexico so that railroads can be built, leaving a trail of bodies and dispossessed Mexican farmers in their wake. Fast-shootin', passionate peasant girl Maria (Cruz) teams up with sophisticated, European-educated Sara (Salma Hayek) to take revenge with the help of an experienced criminal (Sam Shepard) and a nerdy forensic scientist (Steve Zahn).

With a knack for never taking itself too seriously and a host of ridiculous plot devices, Bandidas manages to be reasonably entertaining but never quite rises to its potentially kickass premise. I wanted capable ladies doing awesome things, and at times I got that, but at other times I got catfights and kissing competitions and caricaturistic vanity. It's a goofy enough movie that I learned early on not to expect too much progressive thinking, but I still felt there were some missed opportunities here. Primarily the introduction of Steve Zahn as a love interest frustrated me- I like him and his character is adorable, but the whole subplot of Maria and Sara passive-aggressively competing over him is just stupid. I found their relationship more interesting when they were fighting about their respective differences in background and personality, there was no need to bring a romantic angle into things. Then again that is a mistake so many films make, so at least they are treading familiar ground.

The costumes are awesome, the ladies are scintillating, the vistas are lovely and most of the jokes are pretty funny, so I'd say Bandidas does what it sets out to do. It's all pretty simplistic, with your classic evil-for-no-particular-reason villain, bickering lady friends, uptight white dude sidekick (you know he's a nerd because of his glasses), and good peasants vs bad rich guys. The lead actresses are downright delightful in their roles, with Cruz's naive Maria offering adorable miscalculations and Hayek's Sara getting in some hilariously haughty commentary. I know it's not actually a very good movie, but I couldn't help but be entertained by how silly it often is. And honestly, I will always be interested in a western that features ladies in masculine outfits. Pants, cowboy hats, and holsters all around! Bang bang bang!

3.5/5

Pair This Movie With: Mmmm I'm going to suggest sticking this with an even wackier western, something like Sukiyaki Western Django or Tears of the Black Tiger. Or if you want more ladies kicking ass in the Old West, there's Johnny Guitar.