Machete (2010)

"They call him, Machete." I first became aware of 'Machete' from a sort of fake trailer that was attached to the 2007 Rodriguez/Tarantino outing Grindhouse. I quickly became aware that director Robert Rodriquez actually wanted to make this movie, but I was kind of surprised when he actually did.

Machete (Danny Trejo) was a legendary Mexican Federales whose wife and daughter were killed by a former associate turned drug kingpin (Steven Seagal). Three years after there deaths Machete is reduced to working as an illegal day-labourer in Texas. After witnessing Machete's victory in a street fight, corrupt businessman Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey) heirs him to assasinate a stringently anti-immigration state senator (Robert De Niro), but the whole things a rouse to simply wound the Senator (by aid of a second sniper) and frame an illegal immigrant for the crime (thusly insuring the senators re-election, and ability to push through legislation desired by Booth).

Unfortunately for Booth, and a whole host of baddies, Machete survives and sets out for revenge. He is assisted in this by his brother, a priest played by Cheech Marin, and hotties Michelle Rodriguiez, Jessica Alba, and Lindsay Lohan, as well as a bunch of other minor characters. It's over the top bloody fun, full of surprising cameo appearances (Don Johnson!), but feels very much pulled from the Planet Hell playbook, with some scenes rather reminiscent of ones in that previous film (such as the holding cell scene, the whole 'legendary agent down on his luck' aspect, and some of the love scenes). Yes Rodriquiez can make a 'grindhouse film', but it all felt just a little bit blah. Still I'd rather see this then most any straight action picture they make now days. Grade: C+

Also, was this all a sly commentary on the unsustainablity of the Republican coalition?