Review of Machete (2010) by Blake P — 26 Jan 2013

Gleefully over the top and lots of fun, "Machete" is another "masterpiece" from Robert Rodriguez. Based on the trailer of the uber-entertaining "Grindhouse" double-feature from the latter director and Quentin Tarantino, the film itself is exactly what you expect-- taste less, badly edited, and filled with gratuitous violence-- but that's the charm.

Machete (Danny Trejo) is a tough former cop, this time out to get revenge on the people responsible for the brutal murder of his wife and daughter, and though we've heard this plot line many times before, it still remains intriguing. Keep in mind this is three years later, in Texas, in the midst of a border war, and immigrant hating senator John McLaughlin (Robert de Niro) is about to be reelected. Machete isn't working with the law anymore, but his legend remains, and soon enough he's hired by a mysterious man (Jeff Fahey) to assassinate the controversial politician. But just as he's about to commit the job, he's not only betrayed, but framed. Aided by ICE agent Sartana (Jessica Alba), and sexy burrito cart owner Luz (Michelle Rodriguez), who just happens to have a past, Machete sets out to make things right, but also get his revenge.

Let's face it, most, maybe even all, summer movies are fun. Many of them are dumb fun. The biggest problem is that many of the actioners during vacation time are unintentionally amateur. What's so lovable about grindhouse throwback "Machete" is that it goes out to be a silly, fun time, nothing Oscar-worthy. Rodriguez embraces that goofiness that is his film, and the result shows a filmmaker so confident in his uninhibited in his direction that it's almost endearing.

The story isn't much, but leaving us with images of the hot sun and sweaty faces, beautiful girls (especially tough girl Michelle Rodriguez), and lots of gun battles, makes "Machete" an exercise in filmmaking that's surprisingly smart. Maybe it shows Lindsay Lohan in the most tasteless role of her career, but even that tragedy isn't enough to bring this fun popcorn movie down. There isn't one bit of the film that isn't enjoyable, and it's the kind of entertainment where you can sit back and love it.