MACHETE (REVIEW)
Rated
MA 105 mins
Danny Trejo, Don Johnson, Steven Segal, Lindsay Lohan, Robert Deniro,
Electra Avellan, Jessica Alba, Michele Rodriguez
The opening
moments of carnage is only a taste of what is to follow in this explosive and
lurid pulp action thriller.
Beginning life as a 'fake' teaser
trailer included in the Quentin Tarantino & Robert Rodriguez, 2007 B-movie
collaboration, 'Grindhouse', hard man Danny Trejo reprises his role as Machete
Cortez in a fully fledged film of his own. Once a Mexican federal agent, Machete
is forced to watch his wife killed right before his eyes by a manic drug kingpin,
then supposedly left for dead himself. However, years later, very much alive and
keeping a low profile looking for work in the Mexican community, Machete is approached
by a seedy suit wearing businessman with an ultimatum.
Presented
to Machete is a plan to assassinate an outspoken senator, opposed to immigration,
he plans to build a lethal electric fence along the US border to wipe out all
asylum seekers. Unfortunately it's a set up and Machete is a would-be patsy, however,
the bad guys underestimated the invincibility of their precarious fall guy. If
the high tempo pace of the opening stanza isn't enough, the glorious over the
top anarchy goes into overdrive creating an assortment of disorderly set pieces.
Heavily
tattooed, with a unique craggy face, former jailbird and now established actor,
Danny Trejo (Bubble Boy, Animal Factory) is perfect in the role as king of knives,
Machete. The antagonist and ladies man is never more present in the over the top
hospital scene, complete with to die for, over affectionate nurses, it gives new
meaning to the term, 'no guts & no glory'. Revenge is on his mind and he will
do anything to kill those responsible. It may be forced and unbelievable, but
who cares, that's part of the fun. The blade swinging anti-hero is unabashed,
so the queasy may want to avoid.
An array of obscure actors
pop in and out at various times which makes the retro vibe of the film even more
enjoyable. Don Johnson, the pastel suit wearing detective from Miami Vice has
limited moments as a vile border patrolman who shoots Mexicans on sight. Steven
Seagal and Robert DeNiro are delightfully obnoxious, while believe it or not,
Lindsay Lohan is rather good in her role as April Booth. A wayward individual
who falls to the charms of Machete in a swimming pool, as does her mother, at
the same time!
Funny, with many dry one-liners such as when
the hero is offered a mobile phone, 'Machete don't text'. Not having the impact
I was hoping for, as creative as the film may be, it loses its way when introducing
political statements as an add-on towards the finale.
Shane
A. Bassett
