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Reviews Counted:25
Fresh:23
Rotten:2
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Made on a shoestring budget, El Mariachi's story is not new. However, the movie has so much energy that it's thoroughly enjoyable.
Runtime: 81 mins
Genre: Foreign Films
Synopsis: While earning room and board for a song, a down-on-his-luck musician gets into deep hot water when he's mistaken for a guitar case-toting hitman in a small Mexican town. EL MARIACHI was produced by... [More]
Starring: Carlos Gallardo, Consuelo Gomez, Peter Marquardt
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Rodriguez goes for broke with a breakneck pace, swarms of bullets, cinematic tricks, and a tone as playful as it is knowing of genre conventions. The director's light touch is all his own; and this unpretentious offering delivers in all departments.
Top CriticClick to read the article
Top CriticThe unrelenting tempo is bolstered by Rodriguez's camera work and editing: nearly every frame seems to have been shot with a careening, handheld camera, and they're cut together in a skillful, fluid fashion that enhances the tension and pace.
Juicy, adroit, and likable.
No festival is true to its name if it doesn't display at least one discovery. In 1992 that spot was occupied by Robert Rodriguez, who made a charming actioner for $7,500; never mind that Columbia later invested $1 million for its theatrical release.
No review available.
An endlessly inventive and charming zero-budget action movie.
Brilliant low-budget filmmaking. Better than most action films with ten times the budget.
Nowhere near as extravagant as its succesors, yet it remains a constant simple pleasure, best enjoyed with a shot of Patron and a cold Corona
A silly adventure tale that would have failed even with a $200 million budget.
Has tons more charm than its star-studded, big-budget reprise, Desperado.
No review available.
It goes without saying that Mr. Rodriguez, having made such a clever and inventive debut, is prepared for a big future of his own.
Top CriticNo review available.
No review available.
Arguably the most amazing film made in 1990s.
Low-budget filmmaking at its most clever.
No review available.
Not exactly a monumental contribution to cinematic art, but it's a lot of fun.
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