DeniReview: Machete (2010)
September 8th 2010 04:05
Category: Action
Interestingly enough, Machete featured as a trailer to Quinton Tarantino's "Grindhouse" and from there a feature movie was the next step up but the genesis of the idea actually came when director Robert Rodriquez met actor Danny Trejo on the set of "Desperado" in 1993 and as they say, the rest is history.
Machete is Mexploitation at its best, but wait a minute, was there ever such a thing as "mexploitation" in the first place? Being the first of its kind then others that follow will
Michelle Rodriquez as Luz/She
Steely faced actor Danny Trejo stars as Machete, a one-time Federale turned day laborer turned renegade and all around lady's man. When a shake-down with a powerful drug lord,
Fahey & DeNiro as Booth and MacLachlan
Jessica Alba as Immigration Officer, Sartana
Movies like this have never really been my cup of tea so I was taken by surprise at how much I actually enjoyed this one. While the violence is well-paced and not overly used some scenes are just wildly bombastic and you can't help but emit a belly-laugh at one scene where our hero uses the
Cheech Marin as Padre
Lindsay Lohan as April Booth
It wasn't so terrible this time around either seeing Jessica Alba as an Immigration officer who has a change of heart, and you get the sense that everyone in this film was just out to have a good time making a movie that pokes fun at itself and kudos to Danny Trejo who must have gratefully stepped in on the joke being cast as the leading man who women find irresistible, Lindsay Lohan, poking fun at herself playing, April, the slutty drug addicted daughter of Michael Booth who gains some notoriety on the internet, and Robert DeNiro who does a very crude and highly enjoyable rendition of George Bush. Everyone from Don Johnson to Steven Seagal vamped it up in this celluloid of campy satire and it was worth every minute.
"We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us!"
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Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
I think I could have fun with this Deni, although I'm always dubious of Rodriguez, a few of his films I've thoroughly hated. No date I'll be slugging a few beers back before watching this one....
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Yes, been having problems with pages reloading. You are not alone.
Machete and Desperado are the only Rodriquez movie that I like, not being a huge fan of his work,I went into this one with trepidation.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I love grindhouse shit, so I'm looking forward to the deep trash factor. I bet Jessica and Michelle don't get their gear off though!
I loved Planet Terror, but these are an acquired (bad) taste. I also loved Sin City, which I must review soon, and enjoyed From Dusk Till Dawn and The Faculty.
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I'm not a big fan of grindhouse and I have no idea what prompted me to watch this one but I liked it, however depending on your trash-o-meter, which I have nothing which to measure it by, you might be disappointed so go in with low-expectations.
But if you want boobies, this one has boobies but I might as well warn you that you won't see any boobies from Michelle and Jessica.
I couldn't say if I liked "From Dusk Til Dawn" because 10 minutes into the movie, my glasses fell apart and I lost both my lenses on a sticky floor riddled with spilled coke, Ju Ju B's and Raisinets. So my movie experiences was all a blur.
Comment by Bryn Tilly
Horrorphile
I'll aim to go into this with low-expectations.
I remember being very young (and early into wearing glasses) and forgetting them when I went to the movies with friends to see Disney's The Rescuers. I had to watch the whole thing blurred. Not pleasant. I feel for you. I'm surprised you didn't just leave.
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Im a big fan of Rodriguez, Sin City being my favourite. El Mariachi and Desperado are both fun, Once Upon a Time in Mexico was a real letdown considering the cast. From Dusk till Dawn is one I rewatch frequently. hell, I even liked the first Spy kids film, the sequels were terrible. Shark Boy and Lava Girl is certainly his low point and is virtually unwatchable.
I got a good buzz out of Planet Terror and like Bryn am a sucker for Grindhouse excess.
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I really liked Danny Trejo in this one and I think I'm most pleased that his casting went against the conventional "handsome" leading actor. He was definitely the strong silent type - make no mistake.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Matt Shea
20/20 Filmsight
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile