Bandidas is a 2006 Western action comedy film directed by Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales), starring Salma Hayek (Everly), Penelope Cruz (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), Steve Zahn (The Ridiculous 6), Sam Shepard (Black Hawk Down), Dwight Yoakam (Crank), and Ismael ‘East’ Carlo (Eraser).  In turn-of-the-century Mexico, two very different women become a bank-robbing duo in an effort to combat a ruthless enforcer terrorizing their town.

Plot: The story revolves around Sara and Maria who  attempt to exact revenge on the evil tax collector.  It is actually a pretty decent story although hardly original. The story does allow for development between the two characters and how their individual storylines meet and intermingle is actually done well. The film does come to a pretty satisfying conclusion. (3 out of 5)

Characters: The cast of characters is actually pretty good. The two main protagonists are Sara Sandoval (Hayek) and Maria Alvarez (Cruz), each seeking revenge against Tyler Jackson (Yoakam) for killing Sara’s father and wounding Maria’s. The two are actually likable; they have personality and throughout the events of the film they do grow as they rob banks to.  Quentin Cooke (Steve Zahn) is a specialist criminal investigator sent to help find the two. His personality and character does help to balance out that of the two especially when they’re arguing.  Tyler Jackson is the film’s main antagonist and he is actually pretty entertaining although there could’ve been more to his backstory and motivation.  (3 out of 5)

Cast: Good performances by the main and supporting Cast. Salma Hayek (Sara Sandoval) as well as Penelope Cruz (Maria Alvarez) are just great as the main leads and together that have great chemistry.   Thumbs up to Steve Zahn (Quentin Cooke).  Loved the chemistry of the three onset.  Dwight Yoakam is just great as Tyler Jackson.  Definitely gives the character personality.  Other performances include Jose Maria Negri (Padre Pablo), Audra Blaser (Clarissa Ashe), Sam Shepard (Bill Buck), Ismael ‘East’ Carlo (Don Diego Sandoval), and Edgar Vivar.

Visuals: The movie does have some pretty impressive shots.  The look of the set pieces and the costume designs do make the movie feel like a Western but with a little style that doesn’t hurt.  The action is done pretty well, especially with the firefights.  There is this one sequence at the end of the film where Sara and Maria are going back and forth with Tyler in a gunfight and the shots of the back and forth look really good. (3 out of 5)

Score: The soundtrack was actually pretty good. The Wild West theme mixed with the Mexican setting does for a pretty good Western movie. Very upbeat. Eric Serra does a pretty good job of bringing back that old western feel without making it feel too dark.  (3 out of 5)

Writing: Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg do have a pretty good sense of direction. The script was pretty good not as compelling as it could’ve been but pretty good. There are some pretty cool action sequences that aren’t over-the-top but entertaining nonetheless.  The film does a good job of maintaining humor whether it’s through the music or the performances by Hayek and Cruz. (3 out of 5)

The Verdict:  In the end, Bandidas is a pretty entertaining film. Although not as compelling as it could’ve been it’s actually pretty good with great characters, good performances, a good score, and some pretty sweet action sequences as well as two very hot and attractive women. Bandidas get 3 out of 5.