Rating: 
Summary: Film School in a Box form someone who created his own School
Review: Just stop and think: for the 7-mil price-tag of the gorgeous looking but artistically inferior "Desperado," Rodriguez could've shot 1,000 "El Mariachis"! First off, the commentaries by Robert Rodriguez on these two films are the ABSOLUTE BEST EVER by anyone on any disc as far as explaining the details of the actual craft of making the film goes (Roger Ebert on "Citizen Kane" comes close, but puts a little bit too much already well-known trivia in there, and Gene Youngblood on "L'Avventura," of course, is the best one yet for film theory). They are JAM-PACKED with information on how he made the films and have very little annoying trivia. Rodriguez is very funny at times but he never lets his sense of humor get in the way of making informative commentary. Along with his famous book "Rebel Without A Crew," these two commentaries are ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL items in any film-buff's or aspiring filmmaker's library. They truly DE-MYSTIFY the entire process of filmmaking. And the funniest thing is this: in his 10 minute film school segment, Rodriguez actually shows you parts of the original 7000 dollar video, before it was blown up to 35 mm by the studios at great cost, and the picture quality is much better and less degraded! I mean, beyond this, anyone who wants to make a film and doesn't, can only blame it on his lack of inspiration or talent, not means (especially more so since the advent of DV cameras).. "El Mariachi" is as paradoxically effective as it is because it turns into a Mexican cultural-artifact: it is, in fact, one of the best films ever made about Mexican border towns and Mexican culture itself disguised as a Sergio-Leone-John-Woo action flick. Rodriguez may have just stumbled upon the sum-of-all-its-faults synergy that produces cinematic magic, but his decisions and artistic sense are what made it into the most popular Mexican-direct-to-video film ever made. It's just pure hilarious comic-book poetry from beginning to end, with mean-looking bad-guys with thick mustaches, aviator glasses, and grape-crushing tight jeans running around the same block chasing the 'guitar man.' Also, Rodriguez really knows how to shoot beautiful women subtly and erotically, as he was to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt later with the jaw-dropping shots of Salma Hayek in "Desperado." In Mariachi he only needs a couple of shots with Domino & Moco's Manicurist to drive home the 'entire erotic essence of a woman,' as it were. I've watched this film many times and I truly enjoy it every time, it plays much more 'mythically' in its blundering idiosyncracies than the infinitely more polished "Desperado." Rodriguez's main trick for making his film look like at least a 250,000 dollar film? Lot of Cuts, a cut every two seconds, necessity turned into an asset. Yet, his film doesn't feel like a dang-blasted MTV video, he maintains a beautiful flow, pacing, and rhythm throughout. Also, the Music of El Mariachi, as cheap as it sounds, is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, much better than most of the music in "Desperado," and Rodriguez's clever use of it is pure virtuosity. The use of the sub-mediocre rock music in some of the scenes of "Desperado" really hurts that film as it does also "Dusk Till Dawn," which would've benefited had the more fastidious Tarantino picked the soundtrack. Still Rodriguez's taste in Music was back in Mariachi-mode DEAD-ON in the recent "Spy Kids." "Desperado" is much less a Mexican Cultural Artifact than a study of the iconic good looks and sensibilities of Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, and what these imply in society, in general, as archetypes. It is much more successful as the Sergio-Leone-John-Woo type action-parody it wants to be, and a little too enamored of its own macho nonsense to be as effective a parody as "The Matrix," for example, and, is therefore, a lesser film, overall, than the thousand times less expensive "Mariachi." And what heterosexual male can ask for anything more than Salma Hayek at her most beautiful shot the way Rodriguez shoots her here?! And as light-weight as the film is, it still contains one of the best performances of Banderas' long career. Last but not least, there is the Quentin Tarantino appearance in the bar, and later in the truly disgusting toilet that turns into the door to the hide-out, one of the funniest scenes of nineties commerical cinema.
Rating: 
Summary: I doubt I'm saying anything new, here, but...
Review: Neither of these movies is even close to being a 5-star film, but this DVD, pricey as it is, is a must-own for anyone who is even remotely interested in what it takes to make a movie. Director Robert Rodriguez packs the disc with insightful commentary, guerilla filmmaking tips (his Ten-Minute Film School featurettes are real eye-openers), and a generally amiable feel that makes you feel like the only difference between Robert Rodriguez and everyone else is that he did what the rest of us keep saying we're going to do: he's not a genius, just a guy with a modicum of talent who works hard, never questions his abilities, and always knows that even his best work will have flaws (while discussing the EL MARIACHI bus stunt, he discovers a visible reflection of himself that was included in the finished movie). Rodriguez's commentaries are infused with his credo: use more creativity, not more money. Solve your problems instead of washing them away with the "money hose." Simple point: this guy was an unknown who spent $7000 of his own money making a movie that got him noticed and started him down the career path he'd dreamed of all his life. Is your career as successful as his? If not, put down your ego and learn from him: he's made 5 feature-length films since EL MARIACHI, and while none of them has broken box-office records, they've all made money, more because of his spartan work ethic than his talent. Here's a guy you can learn from opening his doors and inviting you in. Take advantage, get excited, and become one of the people who changes how movies are made.
Rating: 
Summary: Just Fun
Review: Not every movie HAS to have subtle layers of profound meaning; Lear/MacBeth they are not. Nor is Richard Rodriguez a Kurosawa; he doesn't try to be. While Kurosawa is my favorite director, movies by Rodriguez are just fun. Spanish is my 1st language, and, in El Mariachi, the great differences between the Spanish being spoken and the English sub-titles are hilarious; almost like an inside joke.
These 2 movies are fun; uncomplicated, easy fun. One can not even take the violence in them seriously, as it is so overboard that it becomes a self-parody.Do yourself a favor, give your mind a rest, and just enjoy these 2 movies!
Rating:
Summary: The best DVD of all time (so far)...
Review: Oh my, what a joy! Two great movies on one disc, both loaded with priceless extra-features, of which the David Rodriguez commentary throughout both films have to be the best commentary by a director ever. If you ever wanted to make a movie and wondered how, he'll tell you. And he, unlike other directors, talks and talks and talks and is never, not even for a second, boring or self-appreciating... For those uninformed, "El Mariachi" is the action wonder-movie that costed 7.000 $ and "Desperado" is its much costlier "remaquel" (Wow! I just made a new word!). El Mariachi's plot in a sentence: two former partners in crime try to find and kill each other, and mariachi gets mistaken for one of them because of his guitar... Desperado's plot in a sentence: Mariachi from the first movie goes on a killing spree amongst gangsters... People who say "remaquel" is not as good as the original probably missed the point of the movie, which was summed up in a joke told by Quentin Tarantino's character... Not everybody gets the metaphors, so I'll just say it: the man in a joke is Rodriguez, joke's bartender represents producers/cinemagoers, money is money and you'll get the rest when you see Quentin tell a joke...
Rating:
Summary: And they call him "El"
Review: Robert Rodriguez is absolutely brilliant, and he shows it in this franchise. "El Mariachi" tells the story of a young musician mistaken for a hitman and condemned to death by a druglord and his cronies. Believe it or not, there's still time for humor and love. A thrill-a-minute film that introduces us to the character we would see in two equally brilliant sequels. "Desperado" serves as the revenge epic, where we see El Mariachi on the warpath to avenge his lost love. Again, believe it or not, lots of laughs and special effects wizardry. This set is a fresh, original duo that you don't want to miss!
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular Double-Feature!
Review: Robert Rodriguez is one of the best young filmmakers today. His debut film, El Mariachi, is a compelling romatic/action film created on a shoestrong budget ($7K) and non-professional actors. This film should be watched by any aspiring director with no studio backing. Mariachi makes moronic big-budget action films like Armageddon look completely silly. Then there is Desperado. Having been discovered, Rodriguez now commands a larger budget and a-list talent. No penny is wasted. In my opinion, Desperado is not as good a story as Mariachi, it does include some highly innovative action sequences and excellent performances from Banderas, Buscemi, and Hayek. As if these two great flicks were not worth the price of the DVD, there are also some really great extra features on the disc, including a very entertaining short film starring the director's kids. If you are a fan of action movies, or if you are an aspiring filmmaker, I strongly recommend this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Finally some originality
Review: Robert Rodriguez is one of the new prodigies of Hollywood. His first big release "El Mariachi" is one of the funniest fast-paced action movies ever created. Although less original the sequel "Desperado" is also good for some entertainment. Both titles are magnificently mastered.
Rating:
Summary: DVD does not get any better
Review: Robert Rodriguez's "El Mariachi" is one of the great independent movies. It follows a very original plot about a man with no name (called El Mariachi)(Carlos Gallardo) who comes into a crime run Mexican town looking for work. Instead he is being mistaken for a man carrying a guitar case full of guns seeking revenge on the town boss. Plenty of great action sequences light up this amazing film. El mariachi returns in the big budget/big cast sequel, "Desperado" starring Antonio Banderas. This time he is the one seeking revenge with the guitar case full of guns. The character has become more of a legend. The cast is great featuring Joaquim De Almeida, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, Cheech Marin, and even Quentin Tarentino. Carlos Gallardo also makes a brief appearance in a different role. The script is gret and the action sequences are even better. The DVD has commentary from Rodriguez and features additional short programs about how he went about filming the two movies. It is really interesting to hear how these films were made, making it an essential DVD for any movie buff. There are the original trailers as well as scene selection. Both movies are really good and this DVD certainly deserves a look.
Rating:
Summary: He did it again...
Review: Rodriguez masterpiece...Quick commets and wonderful actors makes a beautiful combination. It reminds my of a Q.T movie, actully. Totaly great... It needs no further introduction.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this to get the 10 minute film school!
Review: The films are great, and having both of them on one DVD is wonderful, but even more wonderful are the filmmaker's 10 Minute Film School (parts 1 & 2) which any aspiring filmmaker (or just fan of these films) will find fascinating.
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