Bandidas Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Buscadas...vivas o muertas. (Wanted...alive or dead.)
Wild, sexy, and action packed!
Definitely wanted
In 1848, a New York bank wants to put a railroad across Mexico, so it buys up small banks around Santa Rita, Durango, and evicts farmers on the proposed rail line who owe money. The bank's henchman is the murderous Jackson. He runs afoul of two women, María, the tough but uneducated daughter of a farmer, and Sara, the European-educated daughter of the owner of one of these banks. To feed the now landless people and to seek revenge, María and Sara become bank robbers, veritable Robin Hoods. But Jackson and his hired guns are after them. What are the women's options?
| Penélope Cruz | Maria |
| Salma Hayek | Sara |
| Steve Zahn | Quentin |
| Dwight Yoakam | Jackson |
| Denis Arndt | Ashe |
| Audra Blaser | Clarissa Ashe |
| Sam Shepard | Bill Buck |
| Ismael 'East' Carlo | Don Diego |
| Gary Cervantes | Pedro |
| José María Negri | Padre Pablo |
| Lenny Zundel | Bernardo |
| Edgar Vivar | Expl. Bank Manager |
| Ernesto Gómez Cruz | Brujo |
| Filiberto Estrella | Midget |
| Yomo Tlazotlalli | Gordo |
| Joachim Roenning |
5.60 out of 10 (4005 votes)
Visitor Reviews
One of the Year's Best Movies.
posted on 08 Aug 2009Bandidas succeeds where all of the past year's top box office films failed: This is a genuinely entertaining movie. From start to finish it delivers the goods in rock-solid entertainment. A good western laced with humor, lots of action, good guys vs. bad guys; plus the good guys are sexy girls.2006 was the worst year in seven decades in terms of good movies. All the so-called hits, from Pirates, to Cars, to DaVinci, all these could be used as a torture devise and were indeed inflicted without mercy on we the unsuspecting public. Pirates #2 made a half billion dollars but failed to deliver anything but boredom --- and I don't know a single person with a good word to say about that dreadful movie.In contrast, along comes Bandidas, a virtually unknown movie I learned about through this website. What a pleasure to find a real movie.
Is That Bandana Gucci or Prada?
posted on 04 Aug 2009It may be a premature statement, writing this in February of 2006, but "Bandidas" is one of the most entertaining films of the year. Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek are wonderful together as the sexy bank-robbers hell-bent on revenge and justice.I suppose you could call this film a guilty pleasure. There is nothing substantial here... It is merely a lightweight action adventure with barrels of laughs and two primo-examples of eye candy. But of the 200+ entertainment-only movies in 2006, it is virtually assured that this film will be one of the better examples.I was reminded a great deal of the cheerful tone and style that was evident in the Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster comedy, "Maverick". Add a sprinkle of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and you are rewarded with this Luc Besson penned screenplay.After a short opening, displaying the investigative skills of Steve Zahn's character, the film introduces us to Penelope Cruz's Maria playing Tic Tac Toe with her horse in the dirt. It is one of many scenes in "Bandidas" that hearkens the silliness of Laurel & Hardy. Maria is a small-town Mexican farm girl who confesses that all she really knows about is horses and chickens. She is a dreamer and an idealist.Her counterpoint is Salma Hayek's Sara... An educated heiress who has just returned from University in Europe. She is a thinker and a realist.When Dwight Yoakam's evil land robber swoops in to take the money and land away from the locals, killing Sara's father and severely injuring Maria's, the girls team up to avenge their people and get the land back. By robbing the banks owned by the railroading thieves' American investors, the girls cause slapstick havoc across the Mexican landscape.After getting some 'training' from Sam Shepard's character, which includes a gratuitous push-ups scene in the local stream, the girls feel ready to try some elaborate heists.None of this is remotely realistic. At no point will you ever really be able to suspend your disbelief. This film plays more like a Laurel & Hardy film than anything else. We are only supposed to enjoy the interaction and comedic timing of these gorgeous babes (best friends in real life -- and it shows) as they pretend to fire guns, splash through any on-hand body of water, blow stuff up, and seduce Steve Zahn on numerous occasions. In fact, considering one specific scene, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Steve Zahn did this film pro bono.There are some truly inventive and hilarious moments in this film. Consider the train shoot-out... a slow-motion sequence that was brilliantly shot with a special effects technique that I hadn't seen before. Also consider the wit of the 'banjo-tuning' scene. It was perfectly timed.This film has tons of memorable moments: the church catfight; the horse climbing a ladder; the brothel kisses. It is packed with entertainment value and deserves a bigger audience than it will ultimately get. Penelope and Salma have great chemistry, exuding illegal amounts of sex-appeal and equal doses of hilarity. "Bandidas" is silly fluff that typically gets panned by critics like me... but I went with this one because it doesn't take itself at all seriously and because I never once thought to look at my watch. This is a breezy 93-minutes that will leave your face aching from smiling so much.TC Candler IndependentCritics.com
The Mighty Are Fallen
posted on 07 Jul 2009Bandidas isn't just bad, it's depressing. God alone knows what possessed these two wonderful, smart actresses to star in this obscenity, but what you need to know in order to swallow Bandidas is that feminism never existed. No, no. You and Gloria Steinem dreamed the whole thing up one night after you'd thrown back a few too many Brandy Alexanders. You look at Selma Hayek and you remember the person who did a terrific, intelligent movie like Frida and you wonder. Boy do you wonder. The filmmakers try so hard to pretend that Bandidas is the new Thelma and Louise, but the difference is -- well, the differences are legion. But one of the big ones is that T & L were actually friends who respected each other. Cruz and Hayek's characters are together because they're chasing the same MAN, and the height of their bonding comes when they engage in a kissing contest. (Lord help me; I wish I were making this up.) T&L was a serious movie with light moments. Bandidas is a superficial, trivial, insulting farce that tries to have a serious message. For shame, Selma. For shame, Penelope.
Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz ? what more do you need?
posted on 05 Jul 2009This is a very good entertaining movie. Its no secret that Hayek and Cruz aren't the greats stars Hollywood has to offer but they do a very good job at keeping you entertained. It is a comedy and it offers just that. Both girls do a fantastic job playing their humours characters with a ton of sex appeal. The Movie also does a good job of making this duo a trio when Steve Zahn comes into the picture. The three have an incredible on screen chemistry, that is very delightful to watch. Dwight Yokme is an incredible badguy and he is the villain we all love to hate. With all the action, comedy and compassion the movie has to offer, it leaves you felling very satisfied. I'm hoping we will see more movies staring Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz.
Good entertainment, but that's pretty much it
posted on 23 Jun 2009The age of the western movie has past long ago. A few movies have been good exceptions since then, but sadly this isn't one of them. Sure, it has its good moments and there's not much to complain about with the acting. Fact remains that this isn't anything groundbreaking.The way I see it, there are lots of missed opportunities here. The friction between Salma and Penelope's characters isn't as much between a rich girl and a peasant's daughter as it is simply between two women. It's mostly in their first meeting that their argument is based on class difference and after that it's more of a catfight between two girls who want the same thing, whether it is to rob the same bank or make out with the same man. Also their training and careers as bank robbers feels a little too brief when it could be much more develop. It wouldn't have to be the length of a Kevin Costner to accomplish that, it's more of an issue with the writing.Steve Zahn's character is very fitting as a bumbling big city detective, unknowingly helping the villains hunt after the girls. Too bad that doesn't carry on for too long, as he then becomes their accomplice/boy-toy. I would've preferred a Fugitive-like chase for a little longer before he had realized he had been on the wrong side.The bad guy, Jackson, is a very good villain. He's both sardonic and ruthless, making him somebody you love to hate. That doesn't change the fact that he feels a little bit cookie-cutter. But hey, he's a western villain and western is one of the oldest genres in movies. Speaking of which, at first the slow-motion gun fight in the end ruined the experience for me a little bit until I realized that it's supposed to be a fierce fight scene that takes place within a few seconds. That's a good place to use modern technology if any.Everybody does a decent work in this film. Señoritas Hayek and Cruz are a treat for the eye in more ways than one. To see a pair of women as the heroes in a movie like this rather than being tied up at a railway track, yelling for help is quite refreshing. Nevertheless, this could've been a lot better. Sad, but true.
mindless fun
posted on 09 Jun 2009Caught this on one of the multitudinous HBO channels.When a bad American played by Dwight Yokum forcibly takes control of various property in early 20th century Mexico for the building of a railway, Penelope Cruz and Selma Hayek band together and begin robbing banks to get the money to fight the bad guy. Its a bit more complicated than that but its enough to give you an idea as to what the premise is. Its an amusing romp written in part by Luc Besson (which explains the smart ass tone) thats never too serious and never too far from some action sequence. I liked this movie a great deal since its perfectly mindless and the sort of thing you could wander in and out of and still be able to follow. If there are any serious flaws its that more than once there seems to have been some scenes or some minor exposition.removed since more than once I had the feeling that I missed something as characters moved from place to place. Wonderfully acted by the two leads,not to mention Yokum, Steve Zahn and a very funny Sam Sheppard (as a bank robber entrusted to train the pair of bandidas in his trade) Far from the best movie ever made it is amusing, and perfect cable fare where all its flaws will be more easily forgiven. Worth a look for action fans and those who like light humorous movies.
Predictable
posted on 16 May 2009I had two main reason watching Bandidas through: Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz, who are both stunningly beautiful and talented women. But I have to say, that their looks and inner chemistry was the main thing here, as the movie tries and tries and tries, but it rarely succeeds in what it so hard tries to be: a fun action adventure about two girls in the west.Sure enough, the film does have adventure and action in it, but it all is, before the end, pretty dull and witless. The only light spark in the comedic section is pretty clear reference to old European comic book hero Lucky Luke in a form of a horse that rivals Lukes horse Jolly Jumper in wit.The plot of the film doesn't give out much of surprises, actually any is the right word, as the whole thing moves forward with steadily predictable space. It has evil bankers, righteous police, heroic underdogs and even a bit of love and through out its whole length pretty much everything happens in a comfortable, or annoying depending on how you see it, fashion.The best action scene of the film is spared to the end, in where we are treated with nicely filmed slow motion gun fight in a tight train cart, but other than that the main attraction of the tale are the two stunning beauties. Sad thing really, as with some polishing this might have been turned out to be more than just a mediocre western action comedy. It's not like it didn't have all the right elements.
visual bubble-gum, yum
posted on 04 May 2009...this is pulp-western dessert - pure sugar... but who doesn't love a rich dessert on occasion? yes, it's cliché, it's exploitative, it's formulaic, it's trite... but it's DELICIOUS! i'm a filmmaker, so i know how tough every single shot is... and this film reaches a level of technical mastery that i was NOT expecting... they spent 35 million on it, and let me tell you, it looks like 50 million worth... the camera work is sumptuous, the gaffer is spectacular, the COSTUME department is fantastic... the locations are marvelous... the acting is hit and miss, but all and all... if you LOVE movies, and if you make movies... do yourself a favor some rainy afternoon... smoke out and watch this fantastic romp... if it's ever on pay TV... watch it just for the title sequence alone... EXCELLENT TITLE SEQUENCE. wow. :)
OK movie - Crap sound editing
posted on 24 Apr 2009The movie itself is not that bad, some funny scenes. The directors and actors have done what they could with the script which is not that good. However the worst thing about this movie has to be the sound editing. The levels are completely wrong. All sound effects are way to low and sound kind of muffled. Also several scenes have the actors moving their lips, but no dialog is audible. Like the last scene when Penelope asks how the banks are in Europe, Salma responds "Bigger", you can clearly see Penelope yell "yihaa" or something to spur on the horse, but nothing is heard. There are several such examples. I think this is the first time I have really been annoyed at a movie because of bad sound. So be warned. Ace.
Beyond Bad
posted on 18 Apr 2009Believe this movie was trying to be cheeky, adventurous, and fun. It turned out to be cheap, pathetic, and hackneyed. Bandidas is one of the worst movies seen in memory. It has worthless music, sounding made in some back garage. It features spoken English in 19th century Mexico and very very unfunny dialog. Both actresses are sadly objectified mockishly. Not really sure what was going through the mind of all those involved. This movie is a dump. The sets are cheap, cheap, and more cheap. The plot is paper thin and the acting let off the leash in a bad way. Thankfully the fast-forward button was fully employed here for this free check-out from the library.
Not worth the laughs
posted on 04 Apr 2009This is a good movie if you are looking for something that is so bad it's funny. I don't remember ever hearing about it coming out, I'm wondering if it just went straight to DVD. I managed to sit through the whole thing, although three of the four other people I was watching it with left before it was over. It has decent entertainment value, but is without merit as any kind of quality film. The "bandidas" are clothed in the most ridiculously provocative way throughout the movie and are constantly getting wet or fighting each other. Most of the script is poorly written which results in awkward line delivery from the largely mediocre cast. Penelope and Salma do as well as they could in this movie, but I'm not sure what possessed them to choose this script. The funniest part is the range of accents you get from the supposed "Mexicans". The plot had multiple problems and every once in awhile I just wasn't sure what was going on. I would consider it to be a "mock western", but it almost seems that it is trying to be an actual western, and, if that is the case, it has completely missed the mark. They have a strange mix of serious subject matter covering the exploitation of the Mexicans by the Americans combined with unrealistic and impossible events carried out by these two prima donna characters. While this movie was good for some laughs (all at its expense) I don't think it was worth it.
latina all the way
posted on 29 Mar 2009Bandidas is about a crooked American bank that takes over some Mexican banks to steal land for the railroad. Two daughters turn into bandits when their fathers are attacked and one is killed. They rob from the American banks in Mexico and try to get the deeds for the land owners to prevent the foreclosures. A primitive CSI guy from America lends a hand and they have a bunch of fun. When things go wrong for the Americans as the bandidas start taking over, the story takes a turn. This is a relatively funny comedy with lots of Latina eye candy. These women make a good team and seem to have the chemistry necessary to keep your attention.
why did Luc Besson get involved in this film?
posted on 11 Feb 2009Why did Luc Besson get involved in this film is the only interesting question thought-provoking question that I could get from this movie.Maybe he just wanted to have some fun. Because certainly this is intended to be a fun film. Getting the two most exciting Spanish-speaking brunettes in Hollywood in the same movie should be fun, and it is to a certain extent. It matters too little that the story is completely naive with its anti-gringo tones, that the characters are not even as profound as would their comics counterparts be if there was a comics, and that the comedy seldom delivers more than some polite smiles. The two acting ladies seem certainly to have fun on the screen and a certain dose of their fun is shared with the audience.Yet, we could have gotten much more. Directing was for some reasons assigned to a couple of beginners with no previous record (Joachim Roenning and Espen Sandberg), it looks like the producers finished all the money with the two ladies salaries and did not have anything left to hire a decent director. As a result, we get a badly filmed movie of the 60s, but the problem is that we are in the 2000s, and we do not like bad films but when they are interesting. The casting of Steve Hahn is another mystery, you keep asking yourself how can these two sexy ladies even have a look at this nerd, well the reason must be that the dental condition of all other male characters in the film seemed to be disastrous :-) So, why did the director of the 'Fifth Element' and 'Angel-A' and the producer of tons of films all interesting or entertaining at least put his money in this film which is neither interesting, nor entertaining, did not seem to have any success, and lives exclusively by the chemistry of Cruz and Hayek (no little thing I admit though)? Then I remembered the famous film made by Louis Malle in the 60s named 'Viva Maria' starring the divas of that age Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau. It was - you guessed - a western comedy located in Mexico! Besson must have had that in mind when he produced 'Bandidas'. The difference was that 'Viva Maria' had Louis Malle as a director. Besson skipped the opportunity to make 'Bandidas' a good movie by directing it.
Fun, but It is what it is
posted on 26 Jan 2009If the purpose of this movie is to remind you that Salma and Penelope are two of the hottest women in Hollywood, then this movie succeeds in virtually every scene. They both look incredible. This movie is definitely a drool fest, which to its credit, it managed to do with kissing being the extent of its sexual content.If you are looking for an original story or something beyond what you can predict this movie to be by just looking at the poster, then you might want to pass. There is a shallow underlying morality tale about US imperialism that is probably more relevant during these times than any other and this movie is somewhat amusing throughout the entire film, but it is what it is.
BANDIDAS: Unexpectedly Good! Irresistibly Charming!
posted on 20 Jan 2009Set 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 farmer'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.This 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.Being a big fan of Sergio Leone's classic Spaghetti westerns (like the Clint Eastwood classics "A Fistful of Dollars, The Good, The Bad, & the Ugly, and the Charles Bronson revenge epic "Once Upon A Time in the West"), I appreciated the manner in which the director employed subtle Sergio Leone shots and sequences, not to mention a little of Ennio Morricone'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.In terms of brands and generalizations, the closest in comparison to this movie, being a popcorn action chick flick, is Charlie's Angels. But while the Charlie'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.Penelope 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 it'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 Bandidas' 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.There is a thought-provoking pro-Mexican, Anti-American colonialism plot in this movie, which I suspect may be the reason why this film isn't out on US theaters yet; it isn'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, it's a mere popcorn flick, but it's good as one.Do not be fooled by the film's lack of, or unappealing sense of marketing; this film really is big and deserves a summer blockbuster treatment. It's unexpectedly good! It's irresistibly charming! BANDIDAS is the summer big action-adventure that not many have known of yet.
Mediocre
posted on 08 Jan 2009What a shame. Mediocre film, with such promise, as stated earlier by others, so much promise but not delivered. I wanted it to be good, but sadly, it was just okay. This movie could have been so much more with such great actresses and Dwight, who I found quite unrecognisable, as the villain. The plot line was promising, two women from different sides of the fence, so well yes that was a teeny switch on the whole male thing, but still. I had high, well reasonably high hopes of this being quite a ride. The only member that deserved an Oscar was the horse with a supporting actor role going to the horse. Admit it they where good. Maybe a better rating, would have allowed for something more, who can tell. Maybe the horse can get his own film and the dog can be his side-kick. And this years best actor goes to.......The Horse
Great Movie but not DTS-ES or Dolby Digital EX
posted on 06 Jan 2009Even though Bandidas was listed as having specially-encoded soundtracks the version of the movie I rented only had a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. I realize that renting a movie only on the basis of the audio format is pretty shallow, but nonetheless I was somewhat disappointed. The sound effects on the Dolby Digital version were quite good, and I don't know how much the movie would have benefited from the extra channel in DTS-ES, or if the lack of compression would have enhanced the movie. Probably not much. However, if a studio goes through all the trouble of creating enhanced extras for a DVD, I don't know why they wouldn't include them on all the the releases for the DVD.
Just awful.
posted on 09 Nov 2008This film was awful: unfunny and tastelessly sexually exploitative. It had no soul, and was a sad waste of talent and production. With all the beautiful scenery, fine film work and high production values, it still came across empty-handed. I'm sure everyone worked hard to make this film a reality, but the end product is shallow and trite, and the sexual humor falls flat and is rendered tasteless. It lumbered along from start to finish without ever really coming alive and engaging the viewer. I wanted very much to enter into the world of this film, but even during the "training" scenes with Sam Shepard, there was just nothing to take hold of.Even the attempt to parody and/or pay homage to other western films only made things worse. A film that's not meant to be taken seriously can still have a heart; this one just didn't.
Luc Besson, where has your talent gone?
posted on 16 Oct 2008What can be said about this terrible film? Oh yes... Don't waste your hard earned cash by buying a ticket. This film truly sucks!!! The Camera work is sloppy. All action scenes are shot with a hand held camera and the result is that you miss nearly all the action.The effects are poor, the script is infantile, the direction is lame, the make-up, costumes, casting and performances are awful.It seemed quite clear the main actors were desperate to move onto another project as soon as possible. Cruz was so bad, she obviously needs a great director to help her reach a level of realism. Hayek is the more gifted actor but she has little to work with here and it shows all too clearly.Maybe Besson should have watched the Newman/Redford classic and taken copious notes. The real question is what has happen to the once great Luc Besson? Where has his talent gone? I hope this will be the last of his blatantly commercial and extremely shallow adventures!!
Wow!!!
posted on 16 Aug 2009Wow! This movie is 100% perfectly great! I really love the actions, and everything... I love Steve Zahn, hehehe, he's funny in this movie... 3 girls?! But I want Sara Sandoval (Salma Hayek) and Quentin (Steve Zahn)are meant to each other... Coz for me, they're perfect.! The funny scene there is when Sara and Maria tied Quentin in the bed and practiced kissing him.. hehehe!!! But, afterall, he liked it... This character is very funny... I don't know how to explain..!!! hahaah!!! And, Sara and Maria, are alwayz fighting?! They're like little sisters fighting for a baby doll. But, hey,! They're hot!?! Quentin should pick Sara as his one."How's my kiss?" "P-p-perfect!!!" Oh, I just love this movie... Wish I could watch it every time... I'm still looking for a DVD.==+ Maria Florence +==