director: Robert Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis
writer: Robert Rodriguez, Alvaro Rodriguez
starring: Danny Trejo, Steven Seagal, Jessica Alba, Robert De Niro, Jeff Fahey
genre: Action, Comedy
For those unaware of what Machete is and how it was created here's a little background. It's all due to Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's double feature Grindhouse (2007). In between the double feature were fake trailers of B-style movies. Machete was one of the trailers and was the only fake trailer to be lucky enough to become a full length film. But can a simple fake trailer make a suitable full length film?
The film follows the protagonist Machete (Danny Trejo) a federale cop (Mexican cop) with a love for machetes and his rivalry with the drug lord Torres (Steven Seagal). While in hiding in the U.S. away from Torres, Machete gets caught up in a Mexican freedom network run by a taco girl Luz (Michelle Rodriguez). This organization is up against racist militia groups run by racist Von Jackson (Don Johnson) and allowed to operate by Senator John McLaughlin (Robert De Niro). Machete now mixed in a hit job gone wrong against the senator, gets even deeper into a fight that he didn't anticipate. Now finally confronted with his nemesis Torres and the enemies of Mexico Machete can be true hero and legend.
What's great about Machete is the level of insanity. The gags, stunts, the plot progression and characters are all tributes to B-movie stereotypes and cliches. They also go out on a limb and make it even more insane for comedic effect which works perfectly for the film. If your a lover of these kind of films then there is no way you wont be laughing your head off..
Even though I loved the film's humor and action I still believe it could have been a better film. Sometimes I thought the level of B-movie material went too far and at times wasn't good enough. Quite a few unnecessary and annoying characters and a number of moments were the film feels stuck in rot of it's own self purposed B-movieness are the most evident problems the film has.
Besides the story I also didn't understand was why De Niro and Seagal didn't have enough material to be even more ludicrous and controversial. I would have preferred seeing them more in action than Alba. Who I thought was a complete waste and still proves to be a terrible actress. Instead of picking Alba who cant act a more professional actress should have been chosen so she could have the ability not only to play the part well but also to make fun of herself like screen legends De Niro and Seagal do.
To conclude Machete is a bloody and silly B-movie bonanza. Danny Trejo proves to be a perfect star for genre roles and is nice thing to see these genre actors after years of being in supporting roles finally getting there chance to shine. This film is a joy to watch and funny as hell. This is one of the films to see this year but be warned it isn't for the faint of heart.
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