Robert Rodriguez has a solid track record of producing exciting and compelling action films. His latest film, the Ben Affleck-directed thriller “Hypnotic,” while not the director’s pinnacle, is still a decent time. If you like what you saw at the cinema, check this out The best films by Robert Rodriguez from his long career behind the camera.
Robert Rodriguez has a solid track record of producing exciting and compelling action films. His latest film, the Ben Affleck-directed thriller “Hypnotic,” while not the director’s pinnacle, is still a decent time. If you like what you saw at the cinema, check this out The best films by Robert Rodriguez from his long career behind the camera.
Sin City (2005)
Sin City actually co-directed Rodriguez, while Sin City comic book creator Frank Miller co-directed alongside him. The gritty neo-noir anthology features a star cast including Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Elijah Wood, Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis.
The film adaptation comprised four stories set in the world of Sin City in its distinctive visual graphic novel style. Sin City was a commercial and critical success, receiving accolades such as the Saturn Awards and a Cannes Film Festival Technical Grand Prize. Nine years later, in 2014, a sequel was released that Rodriguez would once again direct.
Machete (2010)
Danny Trejo has starred in many of Robert Rodriguez’s best films, including the Machete series. Surprisingly, Machete is a spin-off of the Spy Kids series, in which Trejo reprises his role as Machete Cortez – the uncle of the protagonists Carmen and Juni. However, Machete is significantly more violent than Spy Kids.
Co-directed by Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis, the first Machete film eventually became so popular that it warranted a 2013 sequel – Machete Kills. A third film, Machete Kills in Space, is apparently on the way, though it’s faced some delays in recent years. If you want one of Robert Rodriguez’s more violent films, Machete is for you.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
From Dusk Till Dawn was directed by Robert Rodriguez, but the script was written by another famous filmmaker – Quentin Tarantino. This combination would make for a unique vampire-filled action horror film, as would the star-studded cast of George Clooney, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, and Tarantino himself.
The film received two Saturn Awards, a Fangoria Chainsaw Award, and an MTV Movie Award for Clooney’s performance, while the character of Earl McGraw appeared in later Rodriguez and Tarantino films, including Kill Bill and Planet Terror. If you’re interested in the concept of criminals fighting vampires, then you should check out From Dusk Till Dawn.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
As the last film in Robert Rodriguez’s “Mexico Trilogy” – consisting of El Mariachi, Desperado and this one – Once Upon a Time in Mexico was quite a box office success, even with the highest budget of the three films. In the film, El Mariachi has to take on an assassin on behalf of the CIA.
In the neo-western, Antonio Banderas returns as El Mariachi one last time, while the higher budget would allow him to be joined by other stars like Johnny Depp, Salma Hayek and Willem Dafoe. Although Once Upon a Time in Mexico would round out the sub-series, it would be far from the last action-packed film Robert Rodriguez would direct.
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Based on the manga gun by Yukito Kishiro, Alita: Battle Angel is a collaboration between Rodriguez and cinematic visionary James Cameron, who co-wrote the film with Laeta Kalogridis. Alita is a little different from Rodriguez’ previous films and is set in a distant and dangerous future full of cyborgs.
The film incorporates the manga’s style through visual effects, making the titular cyborg character Alita appear more surreal among her human counterparts. From intense battles to fast-paced sports scenes, the film doesn’t lack for excitement. A sequel has been talked about for a while, but even if we never get one, Alita: Battle Angel is considered one of Robert Rodriguez’s greatest films.
Spy Kids (2001)
Spy Kids is easily the most kid-friendly entry on the list, but it’s an incredibly entertaining movie for any demographic. After their parents – who are secret spies – are captured on a mission, Carmen and June must become spies themselves to stop deranged TV show host Fegan Floop, who turns people into bizarre creatures called Fooglies.
Future entries would amplify the madness tenfold, with an island of stitched creatures by Steve Buscemi and a video game world created by a very goofy Sylvester Stallone. If anything, the Spy Kids series is excellent evidence of the range that can be seen in Robert Rodriguez films and proves that he is quite a versatile director.