Machete [2010]

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Cast: Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Robert De Niro, Michelle Rodriguez, Don Johnson, Steven Seagal, Jeff Fahey, Lindsay Lohan
Genre: Action/Exploitation/Comedy
Rating: Adult (violence, nudity, mild sexual content)

Comment: "A long overdue feature for Danny Trejo, but it's now here and it is the best exploitation movie yet..."

From the guy who brought you El Mariachi [1992], Desperado [1995], Once Upon a Time in Mexico [2003] and more recently, Planet Terror [2007], comes another exploitation film that is very much in the spirit of the other half of the Grindhouse [2007] double feature film. With that being said, expect nothing less than over-the-top violence, gratuitous nudity and heaps of fun!

The titular character is a Mexican Federale turned renegade after being double-crossed in a rescue mission. After losing his wife and daughter, Machete now roams in Texas looking for odd jobs, until he was hired by a local businessman to assassinate a senator. He found himself double-crossed yet again, and he had had enough. Armed with his machete, he finds himself caught in one hell of a mess that forces him to confront both the past and present, and he intends to put an end to it all.

For an exploitation movie, the plot is rather intricate. You have conspiracy theories, hatchet jobs, false flag operations, an underground immigrant network and a whole lot more. It all requires a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, of course. But that is why this movie is a total joy to watch. It deals with very serious issues in a very clever way. Some issues might be culture-specific, but still you will find it to be relevant at a global level if you're observant and critical enough.
Apparently it is a trend nowadays to put on an impressive cast of actors, and Machete does not disappoint in that department as well. It's not a bad thing, really. In fact I kind of enjoy watching legendary actors like Robert De Niro and Don Johnson not taking a role too seriously for a change. Completing the roster are B-movie legend Steven Seagal, tough-girl actress Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba & Lindsay Lohan whose beauty match their talents. If I may add, even though Mayra Leal didn't make it through the first half movie, she was such an eye candy I can't help but gawk at her perfect self.

This year alone, we are served with a number of action movies that finally does the genre justice, and Machete alone is a strong contender for 2010's best. As mentioned earlier, being an exploitation movie means you have to prepare for some over-the-top violence and action that can be more funny than traumatising. One such example is the character Machete using a goon's intestines to rappel down a bulding. But other than that, Machete features a number of action sequences that is a reminisce of great action movies of the 80's; that means it is worth every second if its 105 minute running time.

Truth to be told, I did try to look for a flaw in the movie, but I can't find any that is really blaring. If anything, Rodriguez could have worked on this movie a bit earlier instead of churning out more Spy Kids movie. Machete could possibly be the start of yet another Mexico Trilogy, this time centered around Trejo. Truth to be told, I won't complain should that actually be the case. Trejo looked great even at 66, and I don't think his age will be a problem with all the technology we have nowadays.

Long live Machete!

Points Calculation

The Good [+100]
- Intricate plot & sub-plots
- Impressive cast
- Eye candy for action movie fans

The Bad [-0]
- (None)

100 - 0 = 100 points