Machete gets the goods
Co-directors Robert Rodriguez (Predators) and Ethan Maniquis have succeeded at the difficult task of following up the comically gore-soaked, nudity-filled and politically incorrect Machete trailer - which originally debuted on the silver screen as a fake trailer sandwiched between the 2007 Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino double-feature, Grindhouse, and gained instant cult status. With their feature-length expansion of the trailer, they have delivered more entertainment than Machete fans could have ever hoped for.Cinematically speaking, Machete looks and feels like an average B-movie. Shaky camera work, grainy photography and, at times, very disappointing editing leave you staring at Steven Seagal's (A Dangerous Man) shirt in the middle of the climatic fight sequence, yet the film entertains like a blockbuster. The action is outrageously bloody from the very beginning, yet despite the unsteady camera work, the blood and gore is shown in just the right amounts to induce shrieks and laughter in the audience. That is the beauty of Machete; everything is so disgustingly wrong and offensive that the effect is hilarious.
It is a weird coincidence that Machete will be released amid the heated national debate on the immigration-check laws in Arizona: Even though the plot takes place in Texas, it is motivated by similar issues. It is the subtle link between the real-life story and the reel-life plot that make Machete such a satisfying treat.
The movie incorporates all imaginable Latino and conservative white stereotypes with outrageous comediceffect: Machete and his posse of Mexican day-laborers exact revenge on their all-white enemies' headquarters in pimped-out rides, carrying an arsenal of machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, fly-swatters and gardening tools in the final showdown.
The movie theater went wild when Machete refused Cuban cigars only to demand "Mexican," which, of course, turned out to be Fidel-sized blunts. The bottom line is, despite being a tribute to the grindhouse genre, Machete has a comparatively sensible and relatable plot, heavily spiced with comically exaggerated violence and vulgar humor.
Danny Trejo (Predators) stands tall as the protagonist for the first time in his career, doing what he does best - intimidating with minimal use of words. This movie brings another first for Trejo, as he finally loses his on-screen virginity.
The film boasts a stellar cast, along with some crucial actors returning from the original Grindhouse trailer, among whom Cheech Marin (Race to Witch Mountain) steals the show playing the dual-shotgun-wielding Padre. However, keep in mind that Machete is a B-movie tribute, so all of the flim's actors forego basic acting ability on principle. In view of this fact, one has to commend Robert De Niro (Everybody's Fine) for throwing his complexity out the window and fitting into the over-the-top style quite naturally while playing Senator John McLaughlin. Seagal is believable as a psychotic drug lord, while both Jessica Alba (Valentine's Day) and Lindsay Lohan (Chapter 27) sizzle the screen in nothing but their skin. Unfortunately, Michelle Rodriguez (Avatar) did not follow this trend.
A special find in the movie is Nimród Antal, the director of this year's Predators, who displays exceptional comedic timing in the couple of scenes in which he appears as the bodyguard whom Machete beats up with a weed cutter. The dialogue is shamefully stupid with few exceptions, yet it is a novel experience to watch the cast members pull it off with such confidence and style.
Machete has one weak point: The final fight scene does not live up to the incredulity of the violence the audience witnesses throughout the movie. In fact, the only redeeming fact about the climax is Machete's machine-gun-mounted-motorcycle stunt, which gives a new meaning to the term road kill, and Seagal's very uncanny - albeit comical - exit.
Where Machete succeeds without a doubt is in keeping a spirit of exaggeration and borderline-offensive humor throughout the entire hour and 45 minutes. All in all, if you are winded by the first weeks of classes and need some mindless fun to relax, light up your Mexican cigars - though not within 25 feet of any university building entrance or windows - and let Machete be your guilty pleasure this fall.
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