El Mariachi - Watch Order: Release Order
The El Mariachi trilogy tells the story of a musician's evolution into a mythic gunslinger across three directly connected films. Robert Rodriguez crafted this series as one continuous narrative, with each film building directly on the events of its predecessor to chronicle the Mariachi's journey from innocent bystander to legendary figure.
The trilogy showcases a remarkable progression in production values, beginning with Rodriguez's micro-budget indie debut and culminating in a sprawling Hollywood conclusion. While Antonio Banderas replaces Carlos Gallardo as the Mariachi starting with Desperado, the story continuity remains unbroken, making this watch order essential for experiencing the character's complete arc as intended.
Linear Timeline: Release Order = Story Order
El Mariachi
El Mariachi just wants to play his guitar and carry on the family tradition. Unfortunately, the town he tries to find work in has another visitor, a killer who carries his guns in a guitar case. The drug lord and his henchmen mistake el Mariachi for the killer, Azul, and chase him around town trying to kill him and get his guitar case.
Desperado
El Mariachi plunges headfirst into the dark border underworld when he follows a trail of blood to the last of the infamous Mexican drug lords, Bucho, for an action-packed, bullet-riddled showdown. With the help of his friend and a beautiful bookstore owner, El Mariachi tracks Bucho, takes on his army of desperados, and leaves his own trail of blood.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
A corrupt CIA agent Sands hires hitman El Mariachi to assassinate a Mexican general hired by a drug kingpin attempting a coup d'état of the President of Mexico.
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