‘Machete’ is an action film co-written, produced, and directed by Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis. It is an expansion of a faux trailer that was released together with Rodriguez' and Quentin Tarantino's 2007 ‘Grindhouse’. The film tells the story of an ex-Federale nicknamed Machete, who, after being betrayed by the organization who hired him, launches a brutal rampage of revenge against his former boss. Danny Trejo, Cheech Marin and Jeff Fahey return to portray their characters from the original trailer, while Michelle Rodriguez, Steven Seagal, Lindsay Lohan, Don Johnson, Jessica Alba, and Robert De Niro join the cast to make this film full of Hollywood's biggest stars.
Machete continues the "B movie" and exploitation style of ‘Grindhouse’, including in part the same footage. Filmed with the grainy look and using painfully fake blood and gore gives the film a sort of 1970s feel to it. Also, the action of the film is very over the top to the point of near-parody, but good fun for any action movie junkie. Other things that were notably over-the-top included the dialogue, which was cheesy at times but good for keeping the plot going. The violence and gore was present throughout the film but didn't reach the point of nauseating.
While the entire cast brought something special to the film, the one who stood out was Trejo as Machete, appearing in his first starring role as the title character. While his character didn't say a whole lot in the film, the audience finds that it isn't necessary for him to speak much at all. All of his dialogue was solid and well-spoken, as well as short and direct. Also, for an actor who is sixty-four years old, Trejo got into amazing shape for the role, and was able to pull off all of the fighting and stunts shown in the film.
Overall, this film is an incredible example of well-done film-making on Rodriguez' part. The characters were well-casted and the storyline worked well with the basis of the faux trailer from 2007. It is hoped that those who go see the movie can appreciate the artwork at hand in the film, but must also hope that this kind of film doesn't catch on in the way that 3D films have taken over the film industry. These old-style, "B movie" exploitation films are really good when produced correctly, but they should remain rare and unique. There's been speculation that director/producer/actor Eli Roth plans to expand his faux trailer ‘Thanksgiving’, also from ‘Grindhouse’, into a full-length feature.
Machete continues the "B movie" and exploitation style of ‘Grindhouse’, including in part the same footage. Filmed with the grainy look and using painfully fake blood and gore gives the film a sort of 1970s feel to it. Also, the action of the film is very over the top to the point of near-parody, but good fun for any action movie junkie. Other things that were notably over-the-top included the dialogue, which was cheesy at times but good for keeping the plot going. The violence and gore was present throughout the film but didn't reach the point of nauseating.
While the entire cast brought something special to the film, the one who stood out was Trejo as Machete, appearing in his first starring role as the title character. While his character didn't say a whole lot in the film, the audience finds that it isn't necessary for him to speak much at all. All of his dialogue was solid and well-spoken, as well as short and direct. Also, for an actor who is sixty-four years old, Trejo got into amazing shape for the role, and was able to pull off all of the fighting and stunts shown in the film.
Overall, this film is an incredible example of well-done film-making on Rodriguez' part. The characters were well-casted and the storyline worked well with the basis of the faux trailer from 2007. It is hoped that those who go see the movie can appreciate the artwork at hand in the film, but must also hope that this kind of film doesn't catch on in the way that 3D films have taken over the film industry. These old-style, "B movie" exploitation films are really good when produced correctly, but they should remain rare and unique. There's been speculation that director/producer/actor Eli Roth plans to expand his faux trailer ‘Thanksgiving’, also from ‘Grindhouse’, into a full-length feature.
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