Customer Reviews

El Mariachi (Dubbed) [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"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.

I first read about this movie in "Millimeter" magazine...and couldn't believe that anyone could possibly do what Robert Rodriguez did. Don't have enough money to rent a dolly camera? Borrow a wheelchair and move the camera around on that. Can't record sound properly? Edit it on a home camcorder. Can't afford editing time? Borrow time at the local cable access station. Oh, and while you're at it, make a film good enough to get you a national distribution deal and recognition as one of the hottest directors around. My hat's off to you, Robert. You made an amazing film...probably because no one told you you couldn't do it that way.

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!!

This is a great flick! It is a small budget movie made by a young man with a dream. Robert Rodriguez did a spectacular job with this movie. It is such an unassuming tale but I found myself getting drawn in immediately. I like a good violent flick now and again. John Woo and Quentin Tarantino should both be proud of this effort. One gains tremendous empathy for the poor mariachi who is the victim of mistaken identity. Then he sees the woman he loves get shot down in cold blood. This low budget movie far exceeds the sequel Desperado in raw intensity and artistic purity. Gracias tanto Sr Rodriguez!

Originally shot on video tape, this movie is one of Robert Rodriguez's triumphs as a director/editor! The story begins with a simple Mariachi looking for work but quickly escalades into far more. Prisoners escaping, drug smuggling and guns firing, the young Mariachi finds himself surrounded by henchmen via mistaken identity. Wonderful editing but poor sound; it is however a must have for those who enjoyed the Desperado film.

If it weren't for the Spanish language and subtitles in this movie, it could have easily been mistaken for a John Woo movie, the Hong Kong director who was one of Rodriguez's inspirations to create El Mariachi. Make no mistake. Only one other director in the entire world makes such use of incredibly slick, stylish, unique camerawork in an action movie and that man is John Woo, who practically invented the style. Unmistakeably John Woo-ish camera technigue.

But if you love good action movies and especially if you love high-octane John Woo movies then you will not be disappointed in the least bit!

"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.

I like the fact that this movie was done on such a limited budget, but it literally put me to sleep. Robert Rodriguez is just alright...

Never before have i seen a movie that grabbed me the way this one did. Shot on 16mm film and $7,000 he made by selling his body to science, Robert Rodriguez was a one man crew in his cinematic debut. The actions scenes are so intense, so fast, and so well thought out. If you haven't read "Rebel Without A Crew" you should, for Rodriguez explains the entire process of making "El Mariachi."

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.