Review of El Mariachi (1993) by Jiarn V — 07 Apr 2016

Showing much inventive promise (and a strong sense of humor) with the breakout hit El Mariachi, writer/director (and sound mixer, grip, cinematographer, publicist, caterer and many, many other things) Robert Rodriguez's 1992/3 debut "home movie" should serve as a reminder that much can be achieved when resources are limited and a strong sense of story and smart filmmaking technique can carry a crafty idea all the way through to a satisfactory finish.

With a very clever (but simple) setup about mistaken identity, Rodriguez crams this 90-minute editorial exercise into a neo-western shoot 'em up with impressive action and even more impressive characterization.

The writing is a tad pulpy but the broad strokes perfectly compliment the fun and energetic film style for the bloody good time in the first chapter of Robert Rodriguez's "Mexico Trilogy", El Mariachi.