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June 1999

Desperado/El Mariachi
Reviewed by Doug Schneider
DVD Format

Desperado
Overall Enjoyment: ***1/2
Picture Quality: ****1/2
Sound Quality: ****
Packaged Extras: ***1/2

Starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi

Directed by Robert Rodriguez

Theatrical Release: 1995
DVD Release: 1999
Dolby Digital 5.1
Widescreen

El Mariachi
Overall Enjoyment: ****
Picture Quality: **
Sound Quality: *1/2
Packaged Extras: ****1/2

Starring Carlos Gallardo, Consuello Gomez, Peter Marquardt

Directed by Robert Rodriguez

Theatrical Release: 1993
DVD Release: 1999
Mono
Widescreen

The Robert Rodriguez film El Mariachi is now the stuff of Hollywood legend. Rodriguez wrote, directed and filmed this Spanish-language feature for a paltry $7000. Using non-actors and working as his own cameraman and editor, Rodriguez never intended the film for theatrical release. Instead, he reportedly meant for it to be a demonstration piece to showcase his talent. Columbia Pictures snapped up the film, blew it up to 35mm and released it in limited distribution, and it gained high critical praise. In an instant, Rodriguez was a celebrity and had access to a much bigger budget to reshoot the El Mariachi story. It became Desperado starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, and now both are released on the same DVD, with each film on a side and their own sets of DVD extras.

The fact that Rodriguez made El Mariachi for $7000 is amazing. The fact that is as good as it is is almost a miracle. Forget the budget, this is really entertaining movie. With all-Spanish dialog and subtitles (English is one of the language options), it tells the story of a young mariachi dressed in black and carrying his guitar case who ventures into a small Mexican town simply looking for a place to play his music. He is mistaken for a killer on the hunt for a drug lord who is also dressed in black but carrying guns in a guitar case. El Mariachi is full of gun fights, chases and humor amidst a love story between the mariachi and a pretty local bar owner. The acting, although far from perfect, is more than satisfactory. What's more, many of the scenes, particularly the action sequences, are so well done that viewers will shake their heads in disbelief as to just how Rodriguez could have pulled them off.  In fact, Rodriguez explains and even shows just how did it in the included DVD extra "10 Minute Film School." Some of the film's best shots are shown in their stock and then edited forms, Rodriguez providing commentary. It is fascinating to watch.

Desperado is a sequel of sorts, but is more a reworking of the original story and has Banderas playing the mariachi and Salma Hayek as, instead of a bar owner, a bookstore owner. Rodriguez likely figured that most people didn't see El Mariachi anyway, and those who did wouldn't mind seeing something very similar but with a Hollywood budget. However, Desperado is not quite as intriguing as the original El Mariachi. As well, despite the low budget, El Mariachi is packed surprising action and tension. Desperado has more explosions and shoot-'em-ups, but is done in a more cartoon-like manner, which, in ways, reduces its impact. I liked El Mariachi more as it mixes in more humor. Still, Desperado is good and wildly entertaining.  Banderas plays his role nicely, while Salma Hayek (in her American film debut) sizzles. Hayek's introduction is a hoot, with her strutting down the street, shot in slow motion, eyeing the mariachi approaching her thinking he's doing the same when he's really eyeing the gunman behind her. Steve Buscemi, Cheech Marin and Quentin Tarantino all show up in supporting roles.

Desperado has it all over El Mariachi in terms of picture quality and sound -- not surprising given the budgets of both. People who like demo discs should take note that Desperado approaches a reference standard in terms of video and has an excellent, warm-sounding mix with good detail, easily discernible dialog and great bass. Both sides have excellent DVD extras that include directors' commentaries, lessons on filmmaking, theatrical trailers and multiple language selections. The nod, once again, goes to the El Mariachi side for its inclusion of the Robert Rodriguez short film Bedhead.  Starring what are most likely his little sisters and brother, the film is a great little story, only a few minutes long, about a little sister who gains super powers and attempts to rid her older brother of his unruly mop of hair. Shot in black and white, it is testimonial to the talent of Rodriguez.

The list price of more than $40 is very high for a DVD. However, the disc contains two fine full-length films, a great little short, and a wealth of worthwhile extras that make it a bargain. If you like gun fights and love stories and are just itching for a Spanish action film, they don't come much better than these. These films, together on one DVD, provide as much entertainment as they do education in filmmaking, which means they give you a lot of both.


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