Machete – Review

It will be defined by the audience’s own personal acceptance of how many over-the-top scenes they can handle, yet the fact that it titters on this edge isn’t really the point. Based on a silly faux-trailer from Grindhouse, Machete is far more than the steroid-fused action it promised, mixing it up with some poignant depth at a critical juncture in Mexico today, Machete is an action classic. Danny Trejo channels the spirit and attitude of Che Guevara in the body of an ’80s action star, in a film that can only best be described as a Hispanic Commando.

For all of the great action, tough guy one-liners, violence, sex, Machete feels like a summer film directed by Sam Fuller. And that’s something, in this seen-it-all world of Hollywood, we didn’t expect.

For the love of 42nd Street, Machete just needed to be fun, even if it was stupid. Robert Rodriguez has developed his own world of do-it-yourself film making, that I’m sure most would think Machete would have been a patch job of the Grindhouse trailer and Desperado, a quick cash grab at the popular quote This is one Mexican you don’t want to f*ck with! Rodriguez’ prior films all had continuous momentum of excitement, but the overall product felt shallow, as if the films were a ready-made trailer, leaving you to fill-in the character development and depth. Make no mistake, though, Machete is all action, all testosterone, yet it has a bit of social awareness that taps into the current politics of America, even if ever so slightly that gives the film its real wings.

The fact that Mexico is currently riddled with violent drug cartels, underground sex trafficking, and a Texas border sore spot that is the subject of many politicians agenda plans, seems ripe for a festering cultural clash. The film wisely never goes too deep with it all, but it plays with certain small-minded attitudes of American ignorance, as if we forgot that we’re a melting pot society. Illegals are filling up our jobs, yet would you want to live in a country who’s law are run by drug lords? Machete uses this as the film’s backbone, while playing with its own cultural stereotypes with plenty of winks, nods, and comedy. The stunt casting makes this all work. Danny Trejo is the Mexican hero its culture needs now, and the balancing act Ethan Maniquis and Robert Rodriguez do with the satire, action, and social commentary, aids what was perhaps inevitably a ready-made action masterpiece.

Viva! Machete!

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