Watch El Mariachi

El Mariachi is an American action television series developed by Robert Rodriguez, based on the Mexican superhero from his 1992 independent film of the same name. The show premiered on the Spanish-language channel Univision on March 20, 2014, before airing on the El Rey Network later that year. With Sony Pictures Television producing, the series ran for one season, consisting of ten episodes, before being cancelled in May 2014.

The show follows El Mariachi, a powerful musician dressed in black, who seeks revenge against Mexican drug lords for the murder of his family. He travels across various towns and cities, causing chaos and inspiring hope in the local community on his quest to find the man responsible for his loss. Along the way, he encounters various allies and enemies, from fellow vigilantes and corrupt officials to drug cartel leaders and hired assassins.

The titular character of El Mariachi is played by Antonio Banderas, reprising his role from the film trilogy, albeit with different storylines and characters. This time, he is accompanied by an ensemble cast, including Ana de la Reguera as his love interest, Santanico Pandemonium, a stripper with a tragic past; Wilmer Valderrama as his brother, Cesar, a former Navy SEAL turned mission specialist; and Tom Savini as Chief Braintree, a veteran police officer with a troubled past.

Shot in Austin, Texas, the show featured a mix of Mexican and American cultures, incorporating elements of Western, Gothic, and Tarantino-esque styles. The action sequences, choreographed by Rodriguez himself, included elaborate stunts, gunfights, and hand-to-hand combat, while the musical performances by Banderas and other guest stars showcased the beauty and passion of traditional mariachi music.

The pilot episode, titled "El Mariachi," sets the tone for the series as it introduces the main character and his motivations. We see El Mariachi arriving in a corrupt border town, carrying a guitar case full of weapons and explosives. He befriends a young boy, Esteban, who dreams of escaping the violent life of his father, a drug dealer. El Mariachi performs at a local bar, where he meets Santanico, a talented performer who is also held captive by the owner, a sleazy businessman named Barillo. El Mariachi witnesses Barillo's men killing Esteban's father, and decides to take revenge. With the help of Cesar and Chief Braintree, he orchestrates a daring attack on Barillo's compound, rescues Santanico, and kills Barillo in a bloody showdown.

Subsequent episodes feature El Mariachi facing new challenges and enemies, while trying to unravel the mystery of his family's murder. He crosses paths with a corrupt mayor, a vengeful former gang leader, and a sadistic drug lord known as "El Jaguar." He also revisits his hometown, where he reconnects with his childhood sweetheart and confronts his estranged father, who blames him for his mother's death. Throughout his journey, El Mariachi struggles with his inner demons, haunted by the memories of his past and the fear of losing his loved ones again.

Despite the show's high production values and strong performances, it failed to gain a large audience or critical acclaim. Some critics found the violence and gore excessive and gratuitous, while others criticized the lack of originality and depth in the storytelling. The cancellation of the series came as a disappointment to fans of the franchise, who had hoped for more adventures of the iconic character.

In conclusion, El Mariachi is a bold and stylish tribute to the classic Mexican hero, with a modern twist and an all-star cast. While it may not have lived up to its potential, it remains a cult favorite among fans of Rodriguez's work and Mexican pop culture. The show's legacy lives on through the music, fashion, and imagery it introduced to the mainstream media, as well as through the beloved character of El Mariachi himself, who continues to inspire generations of artists and rebels.