Desperado El Mariachi Special Editions DVD with (R) +Movie Reviews +Used DVD available for Swap

How to make cool movies on a shoestring budget!

Gary Jonas | Aurora, CO United States | 05/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All right, let's be clear here, the movies on this dvd are both cool. EL MARIACHI is a stunning achievement. Robert Rodriguez filmed the movie for $7000.00, most of which was spent buying film! DESPERADO was filmed for $7 million, but it looks like a $30 million action flick. How did he do it?He tells you all about it on the director's commentaries for both movies. A lot of director commentaries are an instant cure for insomnia. But Robert Rodriguez is NEVER boring. He explains how he accomplished various shots. He tells you how he made El Mariachi for only $7,000! He tells you how to make a little money go a long way. This is a new or aspiring filmmaker's dream and for those of us who are simply curious, it's fascinating to hear. On top of that, there are two ten minute featurettes. On the EL MARIACHI side you get an awesome 10 Minute Film School and on the DESPERADO side you get the Anatomy of a shootout. It's amazing to see how Rodriguez made the movies. Also fun is the short BEDHEAD, which Rodriguez filmed several years prior to EL MARIACHI.This dvd belongs on every movie fan's shelf. And as a note to any directors out there who plan to do commmentaries--listen to Rodriguez first to see how it's done!"

"It's easier to pull the trigger than play guitar..."

Michael Crane | Orland Park, IL USA | 02/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the package to get if you're thinking about checking out the two movies, "El Mariachi" and "Desperado." Why buy both separately when you can get them both for a great price? The "Desperado/El Mariachi" Collector's Box Set is a great offer that gives you plenty of action and thrills for a more than reasonable price. Not to mention that the set includes the "Special Edition" DVD versions of the two movies."El Mariachi" is the directorial debut from Robert Rodriguez that became an instant classic and received critical praise. The film is about a Mariachi who gets into trouble when a case of mistaken identity forces him into a violent and bloody conflict. "Desperado" is the sequel that's filled with outstanding shootouts and amazing action sequences. The film continues the story of the Mariachi and his plan for revenge. The two films together equal a very entertaining time.Both of the DVDs included are "Special Editions" that are loaded with some cool extras. Extras that can be found on the DVDs are commentaries, featurettes, trailers and more. "Desperado" is mastered in High Definition and provides a very clear picture, while "El Mariachi" has a new film transfer that was supervised by the director.This box set is really the way to go if you're thinking about purchasing the two movies. I have a feeling that the set will be even more popular with the recent release of "Once Upon a Time in Mexico." You get two great movies for a very low price. It's almost like paying for one DVD and getting the other one free. The "Desperado/El Mariachi" Collector's Box Set offers the best quality DVD versions of the two films. If you're looking for action and excitement, this is the place to be. A definite worthy purchase, if you want my opinion. -Michael Crane"

Spectacular Double-Feature!

Higher Ed Technologist | Philadelphia, PA United States | 12/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Rodriguez is one of the best young filmmakers today. His debut film, El Mariachi, is a compelling romatic/action film created on a shoestrong budget ($7K) and non-professional actors. This film should be watched by any aspiring director with no studio backing. Mariachi makes moronic big-budget action films like Armageddon look completely silly.Then there is Desperado. Having been discovered, Rodriguez now commands a larger budget and a-list talent. No penny is wasted. In my opinion, Desperado is not as good a story as Mariachi, it does include some highly innovative action sequences and excellent performances from Banderas, Buscemi, and Hayek.As if these two great flicks were not worth the price of the DVD, there are also some really great extra features on the disc, including a very entertaining short film starring the director's kids. If you are a fan of action movies, or if you are an aspiring filmmaker, I strongly recommend this DVD."

The finest DVD I own

S. Terrell | Santa Rosa, CA | 10/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are even an avid fan of action films, you cannot be without this incredible double-feature DVD. Robert Rodriguez shines with his Mariachi films, "El Mariachi" and "Desperado. El Mariachi, filmed on a bare-bones budget of 7k, is one of the most spectacular action films I have ever seen. Mainly for it's flawless script, and the amount of depth it gives the characters, the film really keeps you on the edge of your seat. Desperado, the big-budget hollywood feature, is considered sub-par by many, but I throughly enjoyed the action sequences for what they were: A bunch of people shooting each other. And Antonio plays his character beautifully, so I didnt take the time to anylize the acting of the other cast members, or the effects, I just watched and enjoyed. If you watch Desperado for anything, watch it for Cheech, Tarentino and Trejo. Why are you even reading this? You cannot go without having this DVD in your collection, especially with this price."

BOTH MOVIES ARE INCREDIBLE! DEFINITELY WORTH THE $$$!

Terence Carter (tcarter@fas.harvard | Cambridge, Massachusetts | 03/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"El Mariachi is a crowning acheivement for independent film makers. Made for about $7,000, Robert Rodriguez (the director) used his friends and family as cast and crew for the film. He truly shows how one doesn't need a huge Hollywood budget to make an incredible action film. It is full of laughs and thrills and YOU WILL LOVE IT! Desperado was released several years later, once Rodriguez had become known after El Mariachi and Bedhead (his first film - a short - also included on this DVD - so it's really a 3 for 1 deal!). This time, Columbia/TriStar put in $3 million for the budget, so Rodriguez was able to pull in Antonio Banderas (who was made for this role) and Salma Hayek (one of the most beautiful women in film today). While Rodriguez uses his friends in this film too (the Mariachi from the first film - Rodriguez's real-life best friend - makes a guest appearance as Banderas's friend), this one is definitely a Hollywood production. But it is still FANTASTIC! El Mariachi has more slap-stick comedy combined with the action, whereas the humor in Desperado comes more from the ridiculousness of the action and plot. But the fact that it is not believable does not detract at all from the film. It loses nothing because of that; in fact, it gains everything from it. Both movies are extremely violent and not for people who don't like action movies, but they are both honestly worth the time and money. The quality of the DVD is also incredible! The sound and video is crystal clear and LOUD! Both films are on 1 double-sided DVD and each is in Widescreen. It also includes Rodriguez's short film "Bedhead" and several Director's Commentaries and extra featurettes! This DVD is packed! It is what DVD was made for! DEFINITELY BUY THIS DVD!!! IT IS WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!!"

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	Desperado / El Mariachi Special Editions Actors: Carlos Gallardo, Consuelo Gómez, Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Rebecca Rodriguez Director: Robert Rodriguez Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Mystery & Suspense R 2003 3hr 4min Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 11/27/2007
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