Carlos Gallardo, who played the title role in Robert Rodriguez's acclaimed low-budget thriller El Mariachi is back in heroic form in this action drama. Max Cruz (Gallardo) is a former CIA operative who now uses his talents as a thief for hire. Cruz also has a way with the ladies, and as he stakes out his latest job, he makes the acquaintance of a beautiful woman named Natalie (Angie Everhart). However, when Cruz returns to crack the safe, he discovers his presence has been anticipated by Fletcher (Matt Craven), one of his former superiors at the CIA who wants Cruz to come back for a final mission. Bandido was directed by Roger Christian, best known for his work on the sci-fi epic Battlefield Earth.