Rating: 
Summary: Play on, Mariachi
Review: "El Mariachi" is probably the most visual film that I've ever seen. By "visual", I mean that all of the fancy and amazing camerawork used here combines with the story to make a truly unique film. Director Robert Rodriguez, making his first feature film here, takes action to a unique level in this straightforward and, sometimes, jaw-dropping movie, which is full of so much that moviegoers love, it's almost impossible not to like it. Carlos Gallardo plays a young man who wants to earn a name for himself as a mariachi, a beloved, legendary kind of guitar player. He walks into a town hoping for luck. But, instead is mistaken for a brutal killer by the hired hands of a local crime lord. At a tightly-wound 81 minutes, "Mariachi" starts up the steam and never lets up. The action scenes are loaded with energy and the story complements them with good characters and good actors that make it all work. The sequel, "Desperado", missed the mark and is not very memorable. It missed all of the elements that made "Mariachi" so good and so much fun to watch. Stick with this film for all it's ingenuity and brilliance, it is a film that should not be ignored.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but overrated
Review: "El Mariachi" is something of a legendary film, not only because it marked the debut of writer-director Robert Rodriguez, but because it was made for $7,000. Even 10 years ago, this was phenomenally inexpensive, and -- when you adjust for inflation -- this is probably the most impressive $7,000 film you'll ever see. Rodriguez has done remarkable things with his camera, editing and actors, making the picture look considerably more expensive than it was. From that standpoint, it's a must for film students, and that's who the DVD is targeted at. General moviegoers, on the other hand, will find themselves mired in a silly adventure tale that would have failed even with a $200 million budget. The story is centered on a Mariachi who finds himself marked for death after being mistaken for a legendary gangster. Despite his musical roots, he proves handy at combat and makes his way through action scenes with the destructive power of Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Terminator" robot. Rodriguez says the film was meant as parody, but his tone is too serious to make that point. Nevertheless, "El Mariachi" won the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival and garnered mostly positive reviews. Perhaps the tiny budget spawned generosity among critics. Fortunately, the DVD extras are better than the film. Included is a short educational segment in which Rodriguez offers tips on low-budget filmmaking. This is terrific, and it reminds that he's an excellent technician. Also included is a great feature-length director's commentary, a sneak peak at Rodriguez's next feature, "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," and one of his short films, "Bedhead." If you're a film student, buy the disc. If you're not, skip it.
Rating: 
Summary: A Powerful and Memorable Debut
Review: "El Mariachi" is one incredible debut from director Robert Rodriguez. Despite it being made on such a low budget, the impression we are given is that it was shot by a pro and not by a first-time director. Rarely do we get to bare witness to such an outstanding debut from a promising director that has all the right ingredients in it. The story centers around a simple man with a certain passion--to be a well-established "Mariachi." He dresses in black and carries a guitar case with him everywhere he goes. A very passive individual, the Mariachi wants to be at peace without having to deal with any troubles. Well, trouble comes looking for him when there's a case of mistaken identity. Another man that dresses in black and carries a guitar case is causing major problems for a well known drug-dealer. The difference with this person is that in his guitar case is not a guitar--it is filled with numerous types of weapons, from firearms to knives. Forced into an inconceivable conflict, the simple life of the Mariachi turns into one that is filled with violence and bloodshed. This very well-constructed independent film resembles a modern day Western. The film quality may not be at its absolute best, but the feel of the film is one that gives you an impression of a very talented director. You never know what's going to happen next in this unpredictable film. The film is not in English, so you will have to deal with subtitles if you don't know Spanish. Still, do not let that scare you away. The subtitles are very easy to follow and the movie flows nicely with them. It may feel odd for the first few minutes, but in very little time you will find yourself not even noticing that you're watching subtitles. That's how involving the movie is, and that is the kind of power that it holds. With a cast full of "unknowns," the acting is very solid and makes the story work. Carlos Gallardo is superb in his role of the "Mariachi." He looks like a very innocent person but then can transform into a vicious fighter when pushed into a tight corner. Rodriguez does a remarkable job with this movie. You can tell that he is a man who knows what he wants in a movie. He also proves to be quite the storyteller. He was able to do a lot with such a low budget. It's ironic that big budget is almost always spent on the most horrendous movies nowadays (not all, but a fair amount). The DVD has some cool things to offer. It's been remastered in a new film transfer that was supervised by the director. The picture looks more than decent, and I am sure that it looks much better than it did when it was first released. Extras included are commentary, a "10-Minute Film School" featurette, a sneak peak of "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," and a couple of trailers. Overall, a very nice DVD package for a film made on a budget this. Robert Rodriguez's "El Mariachi" is a stunning film that's both thrilling and dramatic. It's a great film to watch if you're tired of the usual "rubbish" out there and want something new and fresh. This film has a wonderful mix of story and action and never seems to be unbalanced at any time. Don't let the low budget fool you--a great movie is hidden within. A definite classic. -Michael Crane
Rating:
Summary: Play on, Mariachi
Review: "El Mariachi" is probably the most visual film that I've ever seen. By "visual", I mean that all of the fancy and amazing camerawork used here combines with the story to make a truly unique film. Director Robert Rodriguez, making his first feature film here, takes action to a unique level in this straightforward and, sometimes, jaw-dropping movie, which is full of so much that moviegoers love, it's almost impossible not to like it. Carlos Gallardo plays a young man who wants to earn a name for himself as a mariachi, a beloved, legendary kind of guitar player. He walks into a town hoping for luck. But, instead is mistaken for a brutal killer by the hired hands of a local crime lord. At a tightly-wound 81 minutes, "Mariachi" starts up the steam and never lets up. The action scenes are loaded with energy and the story complements them with good characters and good actors that make it all work. The sequel, "Desperado", missed the mark and is not very memorable. It missed all of the elements that made "Mariachi" so good and so much fun to watch. Stick with this film for all it's ingenuity and brilliance, it is a film that should not be ignored.
Rating:
Summary: Play on, Mariachi
Review: "El Mariachi" works because of so many elements: great direction (especially the fast-paced camerawork), good acting, awesome action sequences, and a fast-paced story, that completes the brilliance of the film. Director Robert Rodriguez films his first feature film, this fast-paced action thriller, with so much energy, you're going to want to see it again and again just because of the camerawork. Carlos Gallardo (very convincing in his role) plays a mariachi looking to make a name for himself. But, things start getting out of control when a crime lord mistakes him for a brutal killer. The camerawork, which is done entirely by Rodriguez with one camera, is so involving and amazing to watch. It adds to the suspense and tension that Mariachi feels as he tries to outrun the bad guys. The movie is very tight at a slim 81 minutes, but it doesn't matter. The film has a cool, little story about mistaken identity kicked up with great elements. The sequel, "Desperado", is okay, but it never complemented "Mariachi" because it missed out on all of the elements that made it so good. Stick with this one. It's the best.
Rating:
Summary: What A Film!
Review: An outstanding movie. It really goes to show that you don't need big budgets and Hollywood Studios to make a film that is so interesting and packed full of action. A great storyline of mistaken identity that forces the development of the El Mariachi's character just to survive. The level of action and stunts go far beyond the $7,000 budget. It is films like this one that encourage young independant film makers, like myself, to develop their skills and ambition. This film is a definate must for any one who enjoys watching really good movies. On the other hand, if you prefer films that stick to Hollywoods idealistic views and mindless emotions, maybe you should get out more.
Rating:
Summary: Good action flick made at a bargain price
Review: Director Robert Rodriguez, working with only $7,000 to spend, puts together one heck of an action film. The story of an innocent Mariachi musician accidentally swept into a nasty crime story, Rodriguez delivers with a smart sense of visual style and snappy dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: Rodriguez showed great promise, and has since fulfilled it.
Review: El Mariachi (Robert Rodriguez, 1992) One of the most interesting things about El Mariachi (not to take away from the film itself) is that no one can seem to come to agreement on whether Rodriguez' next big-screen movie, Desperado, is a sequel or a remake to this, his first feature film. After finally getting around to seeing El Mariachi, I'll give you the definitive answer: who knows? In many ways, if you've seen Desperado (and if you live in America and you're reading this, you're far more likely to have seen it than El Mariachi), you've seen this movie. Many of the sets are the same. (The bar Carlos Gallardo walks into when he first reaches town actually caused me a chuckle. I expected to see Cheech Marin behind the counter. And, in fact, the barman in this movie makes almost exactly the same moves Marin does in Desperado when the shooting starts.) Some things, like the kid, are treated differently in the two movies, but that's not uncommon in remakes. Certainly more common than it is in sequels. And yet there are enough differences in the plot to make you wonder. In any case: El Mariachi, made famous three years later by Antonio Banderas, is played here by Carlos Gallardo, (co-producer and production manager on this film as well, and who has remained co-producer with Rodriguez on the other two Desperado films). He's traveling around the Mexican countryside looking for work as a mariachi. Unfortunately, just as he's getting to town, a jailbreak is occurring; Azul (Reinol Martinez) and his henchmen overpower three hired killers sent to rub him out by his old partner, Moco (Peter Marquardt), who's now living it up as a drug runner. Needless to say, Azul wants revenge, and Moco wants to stop him. Problem: Azul's trademark is that he always dresses in black and carries a guitar case... just like a mariachi. It would probably be heretical to go so far as to compare El Mariachi (which Rodriguez made on a budget of seven thousand dollars) to Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors, but there you have it. Moco's henchmen consistently mistake the mariachi for the assassin and vice versa, and after a while, the viewer's not quite sure who's who, either. (For a kid with a guitar, the mariachi sure does handle an Uzi well.) The movie does its job well enough in mixing laughs with the action to make it watchable, despite the fact that it has, really, no plot worth talking about, very little characterization, and was more an excuse for ninety minutes of action and fancy camerawork than anything else. Since Rodriguez added all the missing elements in Desperado (and, it should be noted, every actor mentioned above-and most of the others in El Mariachi-reprise their roles in Desperado, thus adding to the remake feel of the latter film), we're willing to cut him a little slack here. After all, when you have a budget of seven grand, you probably don't have too much spare film stock to do a lot of test takes. What really makes El Mariachi a pleasure, though, is that it contains the raw ingredients that Rodriguez would later hone into the distinctive style that he has today. He was obviously much influenced by the Three Stooges films, but he never allows the camera trickery to go overboard the way they consistently did, playing it for laughs for a few seconds at a time at most. Time speeds up and slows down during repetitive scenes to keep the audience from getting bored, characters get out of sticky situations in the silliest of ways, and everyone has a good time unless they're getting shot. (And you sometimes wonder then, too.) Ten years later, it's a bit hard to understand how El Mariachi (with the exception of the climactic scene, which probably used up ninety percent of the movie's special effects budget) could have been considered a shockingly violent film; remember, this was released the year after Terminator 2. The body count is high, to be sure, but the violence in the film definitely contains a campy/cartoon quality to it. It seems obvious in hindsight that Rodriguez wanted to play up the comedy angle here. He got his chance to do the violence angle in Desperado. So is it a sequel? Is it a remake? I have no idea. But it's a load of fun, and that's what counts. *** 1/2
Rating:
Summary: Gun Slingin-Guitar Pickin' Hombre
Review: El Mariachi started out as a property, meant solely for the direct to video market, in Mexico. But when a major studio executive saw the film, he liked it so much, director Robert Rodriguez, soon found out, the film would go into wider release. All of this, of course, was a good thing and led to two more sequels Desperado and Once Upon A Time In Mexico. While earning room and board for a song, a down-on-his-luck musician (Carlos Gallardo) gets into some heavy duty trouble after he's mistaken for a guitar case-toting hitman in a small Mexican town. Soon, the exploits of El Mariachi, will become the talk of the town, as he must face one bad guy after another. Thanks to this film, Roderiguez's do it yourself style of filmmaking, has become a more accepted practice. It is very clear that while he wants the audience to have fun, he also wants to give the action film an edgier tone. While not as well known as Atonio Banderas, the man who repaced him in the next 2 films in the series, Gallardo does a credible job getting things started. The character is an anti-hero in every sense. Roderiguez has mixing up genres with a cross between the Spaghetti westerns and say Michael Mann's Heat It's fun all the way. The film was named the Audience Award winner at the Sundance Film Festival The special edition DVD of the movie boasts an all new souped up print of the film, supervised and approved, by Rodriguez. The director also sat down to record a fine audio commentary. It is both fun and informative as always. Viewers also get to see a short film of his called "Bedhead", and starring members of his family, that's fun too. You get to attend, what the director calls "10-Minute Film School" and see a now outdated sneak peek of Once Upon a Time in Mexico, that acts as a bloated commercial for the film. A fun ride, like all the films in the trilogy, that comes recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Great Action Movie!
Review: Even though this movie was made on 7,000 it is just as entertaining as these million dollar movies out there! This movie to me was more entertaining than Titanic ever could be! And the action sequences a great! Anyway if you are looking for a good action movie this is your movie!!
| 
