Bandidas
(2006/DVD-Video)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C Film:
C
For
years, Salma Hayek and Penélope Cruz have wanted to work together on a feature
project. They are two of the industries
most underrated actresses and there is great potential in such a pairing. They finally found a project with Bandidas, a 2006 release co-produced by
Luc Besson. Being no fan of just about
anything Besson is connected with I expected disaster, especially one
co-written by Besson. Though the co-directed
effort (by Joachim Roenning & Espen Sandberg) is flat, forgettable and a
big missed opportunity when over, Cruz and Hayek are terrific in every scene
they do.
Hayek is
Sara Sandoval, a loving daughter who has an older father she is very devoted
to. When he suddenly dies and their farm
suddenly goes to the evil Tyler Jackson (an effective Dwight Yoakam) for the
insanely low fee of one peso, something is very wrong here and she flees. In the midst of this, she meets the pampered
upscale Maria Alvarez (Cruz) and there is an immediate personality clash. Of course, when things get worse, they become
the title partners and start robbing banks with revenge against Jackson thrown
in.
Steve
Zahn is New York detective Quentin Cooke, hired by Jackson to use his skills to
track them gals down, including ludicrous attempts at psychological
profiling. The gals get their hands on
him and things get wackier. I give Zahn
credit for doing his comedy with some restraint, while the chemistry between
Hayek & Cruz is the one thing that saves this from being an outright
turkey. Too bad it was not a better
flick, as it could have been a sleeper hit increasing the box office clout of
all.
The
anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image is a little softer than one would have
liked, with muted color aside from cinematographer Thierry Arbogast. The source is clean, but the phony daytime
look suggests this might have shot in digital High Definition. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes lack surrounds
except when Eric Serra’s mixed score or bullets kick in. Extras include a lesser pan and scan version
of the film, audio commentary by Penelope & Salma, the original theatrical
trailer and "Burning up the Set with Salma and Penelope" featurette.
- Nicholas Sheffo
