Two lovable assholes contentiously working together might just be my favorite movie formula, and Compañeros is a masterclass example of it. Plus, it’s got a bit of that PCU/Blue Brothers energy to it (in which the protagonists, over the course of the film, accrue the ire of a growing number of separate factions -to increasingly chaotic results). Not to mention the amazing character design work. Jack Palance’s the wooden hand and his earpiece-sporting henchman are so quirky, distinct, and memorable. Really enjoyed this one.
I came across a couple of versions of this, btw. The one I watched was 1h50m, and it exits the opening shootout scene directly to the Penguin’s train coming to town. But I another version had a lengthy scene of Vasco (Milian’s character) shining shoes and first meeting General Mondo. Of the two, I think it works better without the additional scene, as it endears the audience to Vasco too early. But it’s hard for me to tell because I saw it second, so I was already endeared.
Not sure what other differences there may between the cuts though.