> Machete
4 stars (out of 5)
Directors: Ethan Maniquis and Robert Rodriguez
Cast: Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff Fahey, Cheech Marin, Don Johnson, Lindsay Lohan
Rating: (R16)
Machete (Rialto) was first seen as a spoof trailer in the double-feature homage to B movies Grindhouse.
People were lukewarm about the two main features but consistently claimed Machete was the film they actually wanted to see. Now, the public is not always right in these matters. You only have to remember the movie that internet interest demanded, Snakes On A Plane, to realise that.
However, director and writer Robert Rodriguez took the hint from the fans and fleshed out the Machete plot.
He has kept the B-movie vibe yet has come up with something that works beyond spoof. Star Danny Trejo has a face you never forget. His character, Machete, is named after his weapon of choice and when he picks one up he looks dangerous, not faintly ridiculous, which is the usual downfall of these action films.
Not that I am saying that any of the action here is remotely plausible, just that Trejo makes you think "That dude I can sort of believe". The plot is the old staple: Machete once was a good man until the baddies took away everything that mattered and now he will take his revenge.
When he is not exacting revenge he is being hit on by the ladies, which adds to the goofy make-believe charm.
Best thing: Some of the best scenes go to the bit-part actors whose normal function would be just to be killed by Machete.
Worse thing: Good actors doing bad acting gets annoying very quickly.
See it with: Someone with a macabre sense of humour.
- Christine Powley
