Review of Machete (2010) by Rick R — 10 Mar 2014

Machette (2010).

This is the movie that came after the Grind-house trailer. This is Robert Rodriguez's homage to those raunchy drive-in grind-house movies and stars his old friend, craggley-faced Danny Trejo as the ultimate anti-hero as well as a bunch of other stars who jumped at the chance to be in this movie. Machete is played straight-faced with tongue planted firmly in cheek with plenty of blood and T&A.

Machete (Trejo) Cortez is an X-Mexican Federale who's family is killed off by the drug lord Rogelio Torrez (Steven Seagal) and is beaten down by the crime and corruption. He escapes over the border to dig septic tanks and other odd jobs for "The Man".

There, he meets up with a rich white guy, Michael Booth, who hires him to assassinate a racist Senator John McLaughlin (Robert De Niro). However, the assassination is a set-up to blame Mexicans. Machete barely makes it out alive, but is rescued by an underground Mexican (coyote) organization led by Luz/Shé (Michelle Rodriguez) who has a taco truck front.

Special agent Sartana (Jessica Alba) is trying to get at the bottom of this organization and finds herself getting into the middle of Machete's troubles. This movie isn't for everyone, but if you're a Robert Rodriquez fan, you will love it.