Desperado (1995, USA) C-104m. **½ D: Robert Rodriguez. Starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Joaquim de Almeida, Cheech Marin, Steve Buscemi, Carlos Gomez, Quentin Tarantino, Tito Larriva, Danny Trejo. Set some time after EL MARIACHI (1992), Rodriguez' second feature treads very much the same paths. The mariachi (now Banderas, who's hot like never before) returns to the town where it all happened to get his revenge on the local gangland boss. He befriends sexy, voluptuous Hayek along the way. Polished, stylish thriller has almost no plot, but, as cult movies like this go, isn't really in need of one as overall coolness prevails. Excellent editing by the director, glossy photography by Guillermo Navarro. Followed by ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (2003).