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Alita: Battle Angel turns 5!
Texas native Robert Rodriguez developed his signature kinetic style way back while he was still in film school, when a short film he made called Bedhead earned him enough attention to convince him to pursue film seriously. Since then, Rodriguez has embraced his love of genre fare and become one of Hollywood’s foremost purveyors of slick, well-crafted grindhouse-style action. He began his big screen career with bombastic modern westerns like Desperado and From Dusk Till Dawn, the latter of which featured fellow cult connoisseur Quentin Tarantino. The friendship between the two of them produced multiple collaborations over the years, including the neo-noir Sin City and the aptly named joint double feature Grindhouse, which spawned a tongue-in-cheek spinoff franchise.
In between all of that, Rodriguez found time to crank out an effects-driven, family-friendly adventure about a couple of Spy Kids, and the film was such a critical and commercial hit that it spawned three sequels, all of which Rodriguez also directed. It’s no wonder James Cameron entrusted him with his long-in-development Alita: Battle Angel, which quickly emerged as a cult favorite. His latest were Netflix’s We Can Be Heroes and Spy Kids: Armageddon. With all of that in mind, we thought it was about time to take a look at his filmography and see how his films match up with each other. Read on to see the full list and see where your favorites land!
#1
Adjusted Score: 97384%
Critics Consensus: A kinetic and fun movie that’s sure to thrill children of all ages.
#2
Adjusted Score: 97660%
Critics Consensus: Made on a shoestring budget, El Mariachi’s story is not new. However, the movie has so much energy that it’s thoroughly enjoyable.
#3
Adjusted Score: 85698%
Critics Consensus: Visually groundbreaking and terrifically violent, Sin City brings the dark world of Frank Miller’s graphic novel to vivid life.
#4
Adjusted Score: 79162%
Critics Consensus: Though the concept is no longer fresh, Spy Kids 2 is still an agreeable and energetic romp.
#5
Adjusted Score: 77684%
Critics Consensus: Machete is messy, violent, shallow, and tasteless — and that’s precisely the point of one of the summer’s most cartoonishly enjoyable films.
#6
Adjusted Score: 77323%
Critics Consensus: A cool and hip grindhouse throwback, Planet Terror is an unpredictable zombie thrillride.
#7
Adjusted Score: 75804%
Critics Consensus: Although it may be too zany for adults, We Can Be Heroes balances its sophisticated themes with heart and zealous originality.
#8
Adjusted Score: 72396%
Critics Consensus: Desperado contains almost too much action and too little story to sustain interest, but Antonio Banderas proves a charismatic lead in Robert Rodriguez’s inventive extravaganza.
#9
Adjusted Score: 22260%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#10
Adjusted Score: 71624%
Critics Consensus: Violent, pulpy, loopy fun, with Depp stealing the show.
#11
Adjusted Score: 66122%
Critics Consensus: A pulpy crime drama/vampire film hybrid, From Dusk Till Dawn is an uneven but often deliriously enjoyable B-movie.
#12
Adjusted Score: 79292%
Critics Consensus: Alita: Battle Angel‘s story struggles to keep up with its special effects, but fans of futuristic sci-fi action may still find themselves more than sufficiently entertained.
#13
Adjusted Score: 55086%
Critics Consensus: Spy Kids: Armageddon offers solidly diverting action for younger viewers, even if it’s starting to feel like this franchise has run out of reasons to continue.
#14
Adjusted Score: 61417%
Critics Consensus: Rip-off of other sci-fi thrillers.
#15
Adjusted Score: 50534%
Critics Consensus: Shorts has imagination and energy, but most viewers beyond elementary school will likely tire of the kiddie humor and sensory overload.
#16
Adjusted Score: 49480%
Critics Consensus: The movie will be found wanting if one is not taken in by the 3-D visuals.
#17
Adjusted Score: 51871%
Critics Consensus: A Dame to Kill For boasts the same stylish violence and striking visual palette as the original Sin City, but lacks its predecessor’s brutal impact.
#18
Adjusted Score: 37763%
Critics Consensus: Although Hypnotic isn’t without glimmers of inspiration, the ultimate effect of this often clunky crime caper will be to leave you feeling rather sleepy.
#19
Adjusted Score: 34293%
Critics Consensus: While possessed with the same schlocky lunacy as its far superior predecessor, Machete Kills loses the first installment’s spark in a less deftly assembled sequel.
#20
Adjusted Score: 24685%
Critics Consensus: Burdened by a rote plot and unfunny scatological humor, All the Time in the World suggests that the Spy Kids franchise has run its course.
#21
Adjusted Score: 24120%
Critics Consensus: The decision to turn this kiddie fantasy into a 3-D film was a miscalculation.