Machete

Starring: Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff Fahey, Don Johnson,
Cheech Marin, Steaven Seagal and Robert Denior.
Genre: Action, Adventure
Directors: Ethan, Maiquis, Robert Rodriguez
Rated: R

 

When a mission goes bad for Mexican Federale Machete (Danny Trejo), he leaves his former life and starts anew as a day laborer in the US. Hired to kill a senator (Robert DeNiro) and double crossed we soon learn that they messed with the wrong Mexican.

Machete was originally conceived as a faux trailer for the Rodriguez/Tarantino 70’s exploitation homage “Grindhouse”. Unfortunately for most Machete was more enjoyable than the actual films. Thankfully Rodriguez decided to give Danny Trejo his own “Mexploitation” Flick and thus Machete was born.

Trejo is excellently cast as the former federale turn day laborer. A man who not only is named Machete but whos weapon of choice is the aforementioned blade of the same name. Trejo’s craggy face is reminiscent of a dried out old piece of beef jerky, his cheek exudes more character than the rest of Hollywood combined. The grizzled looks of Trejo are perfectly cast as the stoic Mexican set out for revenge.

Rodriguez has assembled an extremely strong cast for this type of film most Notably Robert De Niro as Senator McLaughlin who’s bid for reelection is what sets the events in motion. The Actor with the most buzz for this project is Lindsay Lohan who plays a version of herself as the drugged out April, A lot of the heat she was receiving was due to her supposed nude scenes. While this was used to create interest the reality is that she constantly has hair covering her or she is strategically covered up. (Her ten minutes of screen time didn’t even warrant her receiving her own poster.)

The Villanous “Torrez” played by pudgy C movie star Seagal turns out to be excellent stunt casting as well as Rodriguez regular Cheech Marin as the “Padr” while Jeff Fahey is excellent as the sleazy man behind the Senator “Booth”. Alba does just enough in her role as “ICE” agent Sartanta to keep things moving forward while Michele Rodriguez plays “Luz” the same character she is in every other movie she has a part in. (she is either the epitome of typecast or is truly one of the worst actors of all time).

Machete is a lot of fun when it isn’t taking itself to seriously; when Machete utilizes a man’s intestines as a rope swing it’s a wonderful ride. Unfortunately for every fun scene, there is one that falls on the exact opposite of the scale. To many times Machete gets long-winded and preachy about the plight of illegal Mexicans and border issues. Although this is integral to the story it almost sways the film from being a mexploitation to a message film, I can safely say that nobody who is going to see a film called Machete is interested in the message.

Grade-80

 

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