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Created Apr 05, 2011 09:55AM PST • Edited Apr 05, 2011 09:55AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Good 3.0

   A wonderful independent film from Director/Writer Robert Rodriguez about a mariachi musician who is mistaken for a hitman. Blending appropriate amounts of action with a bit of humor, the film was entertaining.

   Rodriguez made the film for roughly $7,000, raising the money by subjecting himself and his lead star to medical testing for a month. He utilized water guns for real guns, filmed on real streets in Ciudad Mexico, often without knowledge of local residents, and interjected locals as actors in the film. While the acting won’t ever generate an Academy Award, the wonderful natural “acting” of the locals is priceless.

   When you watch the film, keep in mind the financial limitations faced by Rodriguez. He created a better action flick than many big-budget Hollywood studios, and it’s worth it to take a look at this short and fun film.

4. Acting

   OK 2.5

   None of the actors will win awards, but the effort they make for this film is worthwhile. I read that Peter Marquardt, who plays the role of the leader of the monsters, doesn’t speak Spanish, and had met Rodrguez during the medical testing. He had to read all of his lines from que cards to overcome the language barrier.

5. Male Stars OK 2.5

6. Female Stars OK 2.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    OK 2.5

11. Direction OK 2.5

12. Play OK 2.5

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals OK 2.5

    Although a bit rough (bouncing camera) at times, overall the film was good.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.9

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

18. Violence Brutal 2.6

    Lots of shooting and blood.

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

    One f-bomb, and someother swearing.

21. Reality

    Glib 1.7

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.9

23. Biological Glib 1.5

24. Physical Glib 1.6