If a current day revolution was to take place between the Mexicans and the Americans over the issue of illegal immigration, director and writer Robert Rodriguez would have a showdown in Texas that would rival The Alamo in his latest film “Machete.”
Working with long-time collaborator and supporting actor Danny Trejo, Mr. Trejo finally gets his shot at a leading role as the movie’s self-titled character. As Machete, he is a man of few words, and one of the most memorable lines from the film is “Machete don’t text.” Where he makes up for his lack of texting skills, he makes up for in his killing skills. The man, whose preferred weapon of choice is the machete, can hurt a man while eating a burrito and swing down buildings by the entrails of a man’s intestine.
Machete, a former Mexican federale, is after the Mexican drug kingpin Torrez (Steven Seagal) who killed his wife and child. Here he lurks waiting for the right opportunity to exact his revenge. Time passes by, as he lays low as a migrant worker in Texas. Being picked amongst the day laborers by Booth (Jeff Fahey), he’s given the assignment of taking out Senator McLaughlin (Robert De Niro), for the sum of 150,000.
The senator is renowned for his stance against illegal immigration. The film does sidestep for a moment to features the political ad, which are humorous but at the same time racially offensive in comparing illegal immigrants to cockroaches. This assassination attempt is the thing that the senator is looking for to improve his chances of winning re-election as he milks every moment of being the victim at the hands of an illegal immigrant.
Machete is setup as the fallout guy and must clear his name as he avoids hired killers while uncovering a connection that brings all liable parties together. One of the hired professional is special effects craftsman Tom Savini who plays Osiris Ampanpour who has to have to coolest advertisement as a hired hit man running on television.
Machete becomes a man with no country as he leaves Mexico with a past he can't forget must avenge, and now as a wanted man in the States for the assassination attempt of the senator. Luz (Michelle Rodriguez in her typical tough-girl persona) and Sartana (Jessica Alba in her typical role of someone who isn’t taken serious by her superiors) attempt to help him clear his name with their different methods.
Luz operates a taco truck stand, but actually operates a network that smuggles immigrants into the States looking for a better life. Her operation is being hindered by a group of vigilante border patrol group led by another acting icon,Don Johnson, as Lt. Stillman, leader of the vigilante border patrol who is clearly a stereotype of the Minuteman who guard the Mexican border. Luz wants Machete to lead her group against the war against the vigilante group.
Agent Sartana, of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is looked down upon by the Mexican community as an Uncle Tom character for her work in bringing down her fellow Mexicans for being illegal immigrants. She believes that rules and laws are what dictates society and gets problems resolved as she asks for Machete to gather evidence for his setup.
Of the two actresses, Ms. Rodriguez is more believable as a possible leader of an underground network and has a more believable relationship and chemistry with Mr. Trejo than Ms. Alba. Ms. Alba’s Sartana tries to portray the tough girl persona who is deep down vulnerable as she tries to overcompensate her appearance while solely concentrating on her career. One moment of the film featuring Ms. Alba isn't believable when she is expected to be a leader who beckons and rallies the Mexican day laborers to join her in arms in taking down the oppressors in a Braveheart like speech.
Rounding out the cast includes frequent collaborator Cheech Marin as Machete’s brother, Padr, and much commotion has been made of Lindsey Lohan’s character of April, the daughter of Booth. Ms. Lohan plays herself, a rich socialite who dreams of becoming a model when she is not too drugged up or indulging in other vices.
The film is a definite throwback to the Black exploitation films of the ‘70s with the exception of the lead being Mexican. The indistinguishable porno music accompanied with the naked girls is still recognizable as our hero is irresistible to women. Along with the nudity, there's enough action and body counts to satisfy the summer blockbuster season that was. The film in the beginning also has the feeling to the throwback time period with its grainy picture, but at the same time pulls the viewers back into current day as it incorporates elements of “Sin City” with its clever deaths and humorous outlook on violence and deaths.
“Machete” was originally a trailer featured in the 2007 film “Grindhouse,” and if this is the result of expanding a three-minute trailer into a full-length feature film then audience surely can’t wait with anticipation at the possibilities of other trailers from “Grindhouse” being adapted into full-length feature films.
Classification: In Theaters
Grade: 3.5 stars out of 5 stars.
This is good as it gets for fans waiting for “Sin City 2” with its sadistic humor at violence, action filled clever deaths and nudity. While lacking the graphic novel feel, it’s replaced with a throwback time of the ‘70s of Black exploitation film with a Mexican twist.
Rating: R for strong bloody violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity.
Timing: 1 Hour, 45 Minutes
Genre: Action, Drama, Adventure, Comedy.
• Directors: Ethan Maniquis & Robert Rodriguez
• Writers: Robert Rodriguez & Álvaro Rodríguez
• Actors: Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Steven Seagal, Don Johnson, Tom Savini, Jeff Fahey with Lindsey Lohan and Cheech Marin.
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