There were probably critics who snickered after hearing Robert Rodriguez say he wanted to do “Machete”, a movie based on a fake trailer in “Grindhouse”. Rodriguez will definitely have the last laugh. He’s created a gloriously over the top thrill ride that goes for the jugular and doesn’t let go.
Director/Screenwriter Rodriguez loves the exploitation films of the 1970s. It definitely shows with “Machete”. The movie has blood, boobs, hammy acting and even takes a stand on the immigration issue. And where else can you find Oscar winner Robert DeNiro letting his hair down so to speak to attempt a cheesy Southern accent as an anti-immigration senator from Texas? Rodriguez even found a role for bad girl Lindsay Lohan that fits her to a tee.
Danny Trejo plays the title character. It is a rare starring role for the ever busy actor. Machete is a Mexican Federale who tries to bring down Torrez, a drug kingpin (Stephen Seagal in all his glory). He fails and watches as his wife’s head is cut off before him. Yes, it is that type of film. If you are squeamish about blood, this isn’t the movie for you. Machete barely escapes with his life. We see him three years later scrapping by as a day laborer in Texas.
One day Machete is hired by Booth (Jeff Fahey), a mysterious man who wants Senator McLaughlin (DeNiro) dead because of his strict illegal immigration platform. Before Machete can pull off the plan, a hit man shoots him and the senator. We soon learn that Booth is an aide to McLaughlin. It was all a ploy to make McLaughlin look tough and that his would be assassin was an illegal immigrant. Booth is also backed by someone from Machete’s past.
The movie goes into revenge mode as Machete tries to take down whoever betrayed him. He is helped in this cause by his brother who is a gun toting priest (frequent Rodriguez contributor Cheech Marin), Luz (Michelle Rodriguez) who helps out illegal immigrants and Santana (Jessica Alba) an Immigrations officer who slowly changes her mind on the hot issue. Rodriguez and co-director Ethan Maniquis naturally go all out with the action scenes. Machete escapes one hairy situation by using a person’s intestines. There are numerous limbs that are cut off, heads that are severed, eyes that are shot out and various explosions. Machete’s weapon of choice is the machete, but he also finds creative uses out of gardening tools and hospital items. This is all ghoulish fun for people with the stomach for it.
Rodriguez and co-screenwriter Alvaro Rodriguez (Robert’s cousin) do seem to be taking a stand on illegal immigration. Early on, we see a sadistic border patrol vigilante played with zeal by Don Johnson kill a pregnant illegal immigrant. McLaughlin joins in the game himself by killing another person. The plan by McLaughlin for an electrified fence is so cartoony that it is hard to take any issue put forth seriously. Rodriguez may be trying to say that extreme measures aren’t the way to go regarding this serious topic and thoughtful dialogue needs to take place to come to a happy medium. Whatever the case, moviegoers should not avoid the film because of this.
Rodriguez keeps things light throughout. He puts in the credits that he is introducing Don Johnson which generated plenty of chuckles from the audience. When the bad guys are talking on their computers, their names are amusingly listed on top of the screens. Lohan’s character is a work of pure genius. She plays the drugged out daughter of Booth who plans on starting a porn site. Lohan looks like she is having a ball poking fun at herself. There are funny touches like this that are sprinkled through “Machete” that keeps it humming along. “Machete” does run out of the steam at the end. All the participants clash in a battle royale. This is the one time that Rodriguez should have pulled back a bit. You feel worn out after watching this sequence. It is sensory overload.
“Machete” hits most of the right notes. Rodriguez is either very confident or is having some fun by touting two sequels in the final frame. We should all be so lucky for more magnificent carnage.
