Down Mexico Way

Robert Rodriguez's gun-slinging action sequel exploded on to American screens this weekend. Once Upon a Time in Mexico took the number one spot at the US box office with $24 million. Ridley Scott's Matchstick Men followed in second place, reaping $13.3 million and schlock horror, Cabin Fever, stole third with $8.5 million. The instalment of Rodriguez's Mariachi trilogy achieved a franchise-best debut despite an audience-limiting R rating and being the weakest of the three Mexico films. Following on from El Mariachi and Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico continues the adventures of the heavily-armed guitarist as he sweeps through cartel henchmen to take out a drug lord, prevent a military-led coup and reap revenge for the death of his beloved. Despite a plot so utterly impenetrable you might as well not bother, there's clearly enough ballsy action spectacle here to keep audiences satisfied.