This movie was supposed to be titled the Gunslinger AKA El Pistolero and starring John Leguizamo in the title role. Raúl juliá was supposed to be playing the part of "Bucho". unfortunately Raul was too sick to play the role and eventually he passed away. the Studio's then decided to go with Joaquin de Almeida. And also got Antonio Banderas for the main role as the Mariachi.
even though this movie had a bigger budget it's still just as enjoyable as the original mariachi I think all this extra money just went for all the star power that was in this one versus the other one that didn't really have anybody.
in my opinion Steve Buscemi and Quentin Tarantino as amusing as their bit roles were they were totally miscast in this film. Cheech Marin had a better brief role as the bartender. So did Joaquin de Almeida as main bad guy "Bucho". And as his main Right hand, Carlos Gomez. Toto Larriva as "Tavo" also was good. His character in one scene almost got Antonio when we first meet the beautiful Salma Hayek as he was coming to get Antonio with guns in the background is music playing which is an original piece from Tito and his band In real life! The very beautiful Angel Aviles had a silent role as Bucho's lovely but deadly bodyguard. Aviles was in Allison Andres "Mi Vida Loca", she was 'Sad Girl'. Next we have Danny Trejo and the colorful non speaking role as Navajas. I looked at it as a tease to his future role in Robert Rodriguez "Machete". Wonderful character actor Mike Not off had a bit role and was well cast but he was killed to soon.
What was amusing and surprising to me where the very brief cameos of the original El Mariachi cast! Consuelo Gomez (Domino), Jaime de Hoyos (Bigoton), Peter Marquardt (Moco), Reinol Martinez (Azul) and Carlos Gallardo the original Mariachi.
Consuelo, Jaime and Peter play the same characters from the original in a non speaking dream sequence. Reinol is back but in a different bit role as a bar patrons who pushes the little boy played by Abraham Verduzco, aside and provides him to enter the bar. Carlos has a more bigger bit role , and he is once again a Mariachi, but a different one since Antonio is playing the role Carlos played in the original?! my take is that since Carlos' s Mariachi didn't have a name in the original, and in this one he does, his name is "Campa", then he is a alternative reality Mariachi! Lol
Anyways and by the way before I go I didn't know this until I seen the credits IMDb but I didn't see him but it says that Superstar singer ,Julio Iglesias son, Enrique Iglesias was in this movie as a hitman!? I have yet to see him I guess I better start using the pause and freeze frame haha
Review of Desperado
