Part of The Mexico Trilogy box set from Arrow Video out 8/27/2024.
Following a tragic loss, El Mariachi gets involved in higher stakes issues than ever before when an odd CIA agent shows up in Mexico.
Written and directed by Robert Rodriguez and coming almost a decade after its predecessor, this entry in the trilogy is the weakest one. The story here feels like it’s reaching a bit and not quite getting to its full potential, instead spending much too much time away on El Mariachi and way too much time with Agent Sands (Johnny Depp). The story has good beats and good ideas, but some of it gets lost in there being too many characters and too much going on all at once. The direction works, the writing mostly works, but there is too much here, like Rodriguez was trying to cram as much as he could, possibly to accommodate/justify all the cast members’ presence.
The cast here sees Antonio Banderas come back as El Mariachi, giving a good but seemingly a bit lost performance. Yes, there is a logic for this, but the emotions portrayed here seem off at times and his Mariachi loses a bit of his appeal. Well, except once things go into action mode, there he shines again. Playing the attempt at stealing the film from El Mariachi, Agent Sands, Johnny Depp is just bland as he can be, giving what feels like a very uninspired performance, a performance we’ve seen so many times from him, it feels like his default and like he’s not really acting. What was the point of the part or the casting? It feels like it’s been shoehorned into the story to make the studio, the marketing department, or some members of the public happy. Most fans of this trilogy didn’t need him it seems, and he takes away from the film in many scenes and ways. Seeing Danny Trejo and Salma Hayek being back is fun, they do great. Some of the cameos feel a bit forced, some of them work. The cast here is hit or miss with thankfully Banderas to carry the film. Also, why change who the mariachis are? A film nerd wants to know.
The cinematography, editing, and music here are by Robert Rodriguez which may have been a control thing or a budget thing, but it works here mostly. Los Lobos are missed, but the current score is alright. The look of the film feels like it’s logical for this third entry in the trilogy and the new release looks really good here, great transfer, good sound. Overall a solid release of a film that feels like it’s not as solid as the previous two in its series.
This set is basically the set for fans of the Mexico trilogy and, until further notice, the set for Robert Rodriguez fans. It is packed with extras that are great watches with fascinating information on his process, behind the scenes work, each film, and even episodes of 10-Minutes Film School which is always a great watch. The inclusion of his 1991 short film Bedhead is a great move here as short films are often underseen. The set also includes interviews with some of his collaborators such as original Mariachi Carlos Gallardo and stunt coordinator Steve Davison, audio commentaries with Rodriguez, delete scenes, a featurette about the music of El Mariachi, a cooking video, new and archival materials, and a whole lot more. A dedicated fan could spend a full week going through these and be entertained.
