Another for the entire trilogy: They're each retelling the same story. The first movie shows the events as they actually happen, the second has them evolve into a local urban legend, and the third as national folklore. This would explain the recurring actors, the motifs changing characters, and the progressively more over the top storylines.
"Look, this story is well-traveled, okay? It might have picked up some...embellishments along the way. Just read between the lines."
Guitar Town, which plays three times during the film: during the scene where El Cucuy shoots the guitar maker near the beginning, when Carolina and the daughter she and Mariachi had are gunned down by Marquez, and when Mariachi takes vengeance on Marquez.
Complete Monster: The corrupt General Emiliano Marquez plots a coup against Mexico's president to let the torturing, murdering cartel of his ally Barillo flourish. An enemy of the nameless "El Mariachi", Marquez murdered the former's wife Carolina and their young daughter for spite, returning to lay siege to Mexico City and slaughter everyone close to the President, with his forces willing to kill all civilians who stand against him.
Ensemble Dark Horse: Sands proved wildly popular. This might have something to do with the fact that he's played by Johnny Depp.
He was surprised at the reaction to the character, thinking it was only a small supporting role, but one of his siblings saw it and said "no, you're in the whole thing."
Magnificent Bastard: Sheldon Jeffrey Sands is a brilliant CIA agent out to "keep the balance" in Mexico. Locating El Mariachi, Sands presses him into service by luring one informant into trusting him and paying him off, showcasing his philosophies on victory by rigging a bullfight in favor of the bull so he may collect on the match. Intending on the rogue general Marquez killing the good president before having El kill Marquez, Sands finds himself betrayed and tortured by drug lord Barillo, only to get loose and eliminate the sadistic Agent Ajedrez with a trap despite his new disability.
