'MACHETE': Five Stars (Out of Five)
The long awaited feature film based on writer / director Robert Rodriguez's beloved 'fake' trailer 'MACHETE' is finally here and it doesn't disappoint. The trailer was featured prior to Rodriguez's entry 'PLANET TERROR' in his and buddy Quentin Tarantino's 'GRINDHOUSE' double feature from 2007. These films are designed to imitate the popular 'B' exploitation films of the 70's and 80's that were typically played at rundown theaters known as 'grindhouses'. 'MACHETE' is an homage to 'Mexploitation' films and was originally conceived as just a satirical trailer but later evolved into a full feature length film due to it's popularity. Writer / director Eli Roth's fake trailer 'THANKSGIVING' is also rumored to be developed in to a full feature. Rodriguez supposedly filmed half of the movie while he was making the trailer and Jeff Fahey, Cheech Marin and Danny Trejo all reprise their roles from it (This is actually Trejo's fifth time playing the 'Machete' character, he also played him in all three 'SPY KIDS' films). Rodriguez credits his buddy Ethan Maniquis as a co-director on the film and cousin Alvaro as a co-writer.
Long time character actor 'tough guy' Danny Trejo finally gets his first starring role, at age 66! He plays the iconic 'Machete', an ex Federale who as the film opens is betrayed by his boss and ex-partner Torrez (played by none other than Steven Seagal), who's now a vicious drug lord. His wife and daughter are murdered and he's left for dead. Three years later he's now an illegal immigrant looking for day labor in Texas. He's discovered by a businessman named Booth (Fahey) and hired to assassinate a Senator (played by Robert De Niro) who's radical illegal immigration stance is seen as bad for business. He's betrayed by his employers though and now a wanted fugitive. This of course turns into a very violent revenge tale as Machete teams up with a beautiful ICE agent (played by Jessica Alba), a tough resistance fighter (played by Michelle Rodriguez) and his brother who's now a priest (played by Cheech Marin).
The film is packed with gruesome and over the top violence as well as the prerequisite explicit sex and nudity these films are known for. It's also full of witty and humorous dialog (including my favorite line 'Machete don't text') as well as a surprising amount of social and political commentary. This movie actually has a heart and an important message behind it's rough and tough exterior. It's nothing short of a masterpiece in my opinion. I love these types of movies. Rodriguez is one of my favorite directors (and writers) although I'm not a big fan of his kids' films; I love almost everything else he does though. In my opinion he's up there with Quentin Tarantino, Sam Raimi, Peter Jackson, Kevin Smith, etc. He's one of the great ones and this film is as well. It's everything I expected; a beautiful homage to 70's and 80's B action films. Like 'THE EXPENDABLES' it's nostalgia Heaven!
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4rYA-j3f3c
The long awaited feature film based on writer / director Robert Rodriguez's beloved 'fake' trailer 'MACHETE' is finally here and it doesn't disappoint. The trailer was featured prior to Rodriguez's entry 'PLANET TERROR' in his and buddy Quentin Tarantino's 'GRINDHOUSE' double feature from 2007. These films are designed to imitate the popular 'B' exploitation films of the 70's and 80's that were typically played at rundown theaters known as 'grindhouses'. 'MACHETE' is an homage to 'Mexploitation' films and was originally conceived as just a satirical trailer but later evolved into a full feature length film due to it's popularity. Writer / director Eli Roth's fake trailer 'THANKSGIVING' is also rumored to be developed in to a full feature. Rodriguez supposedly filmed half of the movie while he was making the trailer and Jeff Fahey, Cheech Marin and Danny Trejo all reprise their roles from it (This is actually Trejo's fifth time playing the 'Machete' character, he also played him in all three 'SPY KIDS' films). Rodriguez credits his buddy Ethan Maniquis as a co-director on the film and cousin Alvaro as a co-writer.
Long time character actor 'tough guy' Danny Trejo finally gets his first starring role, at age 66! He plays the iconic 'Machete', an ex Federale who as the film opens is betrayed by his boss and ex-partner Torrez (played by none other than Steven Seagal), who's now a vicious drug lord. His wife and daughter are murdered and he's left for dead. Three years later he's now an illegal immigrant looking for day labor in Texas. He's discovered by a businessman named Booth (Fahey) and hired to assassinate a Senator (played by Robert De Niro) who's radical illegal immigration stance is seen as bad for business. He's betrayed by his employers though and now a wanted fugitive. This of course turns into a very violent revenge tale as Machete teams up with a beautiful ICE agent (played by Jessica Alba), a tough resistance fighter (played by Michelle Rodriguez) and his brother who's now a priest (played by Cheech Marin).
The film is packed with gruesome and over the top violence as well as the prerequisite explicit sex and nudity these films are known for. It's also full of witty and humorous dialog (including my favorite line 'Machete don't text') as well as a surprising amount of social and political commentary. This movie actually has a heart and an important message behind it's rough and tough exterior. It's nothing short of a masterpiece in my opinion. I love these types of movies. Rodriguez is one of my favorite directors (and writers) although I'm not a big fan of his kids' films; I love almost everything else he does though. In my opinion he's up there with Quentin Tarantino, Sam Raimi, Peter Jackson, Kevin Smith, etc. He's one of the great ones and this film is as well. It's everything I expected; a beautiful homage to 70's and 80's B action films. Like 'THE EXPENDABLES' it's nostalgia Heaven!
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4rYA-j3f3c