El Mariachi (Special Edition)
November 2003 Reviewed by: Anthony Di Marco Format: DVD	(all ratings out of 5): Overall Enjoyment Picture Quality Packaged Extras Sound Quality

From Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest to Monty Python’s Life of Brian, the plot device of mistaken identity has been the pivot point of many screenplays. In 1993, Robert Rodriguez again used the device in the highly publicized, independent film, El Mariachi. Costing a reported $7000, the film injected new life into a worn-out premise by combining adrenaline-fueled camera work, fast-paced editing, and an offbeat sense of humor. The film opened to widespread acclaim and put Rodriguez on the map. I enjoyed El Mariachi the first time I saw it, but it was unclear to me whether it succeeded due to media hype or through the craft of a gifted filmmaker.

Ten years later I am watching it with a fresh perspective.

The title El Mariachi refers to the mariachi, or traditional Mexican musician. Typically a fixture of bars and restaurants, mariachis wander from town to town playing their songs, at the same time invoking the spirit of the Mexican culture and its people. A town would typically welcome a mariachi with open arms. Unfortunately, one mariachi finds a less-than-warm welcome waiting for him, and his guitar, in one small Mexican town.

This particular singer is mistaken for a cold-blooded killer named Moco, who uses a guitar case to conceal his weapons. After Moco escapes from prison he threatens revenge on the drug dealer who double-crossed him. The basic plot involves a series of conflicts between El Mariachi (the character's only name) and the drug dealer's henchmen, who mistake him for Moco. To survive, the mariachi changes from a peace-loving musician who simply wanted a place to play his music, to an efficient killer who proceeds to wipe out the bad guys. But this is not a story that ends with a hero riding off into the sunset. Rodriguez steers clear of a sappy Hollywood ending and gives his film a more bittersweet, open-ended finale that leaves room for a sequel.

The original 35mm theatrical release of El Mariachi had a look that betrayed its low-budget 16mm roots. Film scratches and a slightly washed-out picture were apparent throughout, while audio fidelity was not much better than the sound out of a cheap boom box. I know of at least one other DVD version of El Mariachi -- but that version was dumped from a negative of questionable quality with a weak soundtrack. The new transfer was reportedly pulled from the original negatives -- and it shows. Although there are scratches and copious film grain, as well as some rough edits, the color and detail are excellent. Deep blue skies and perfectly balanced skin tones give the film a very rich appearance. The audio transfer is also a step up from what I remember: Music, voices, and an abundance of gunshots are reproduced with admirable clarity.

There is no question that Robert Rodriguez knows how to shoot a film, but what impresses me more is that he knows the point behind DVD extras. El Mariachi may not be overflowing with extras, but what is offered is top shelf. As on the Spy Kids 2 DVD, the featurette "10-Minute Film School" and the director's commentary are wonderfully informative and very interesting. Rodriguez is open and honest about his no-nonsense approach to filmmaking and finally puts to rest all the rumors surrounding El Mariachi’s $7000 budget. What you see onscreen cost him around $600, while the balance was paid for film stock. Rodriguez also did much of his editing "in camera" by knowing what he wanted before he exposed one frame of film. He got every shot in only one take, and resolved any issues during postproduction editing.

Two years after El Mariachi, Robert Rodriguez continued his franchise with Desperado, and just last month, completed his Mexican triptych with Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Despite bigger budgets and well-known stars, both films have not received the acclaim of the original. Nevertheless, Rodriguez’s future as a filmmaker is assured because he knows how to make a good-looking and entertaining film on a tight budget. No matter how successful or larger than life each film gets, let's hope that the talented Rodriguez continues to invigorate the film medium by keeping those lessons he learned on El Mariachi close to heart.

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