subject: Machete A Big Slice of Action [print this page] I can't believe I actually waited a whole week before checking out Robert Rodriguez's smash hit Machete. This 100% adrenaline rush of entertainment should have made the cover of the New York Times, Boston Globe and Rolling Stone. Anyone who does not give this movie at least 4 Stars has no idea whatsoever about great movies. Machete makes Danny Trejo look like Elvis. If anyone can make an average person look like the hottest thing since sliced bread, it is Robert Rodriguez. An all-star cast headed up this film with actors like Robert DeNiro, Jessica Alba, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin, Steven Seagal and of course, the actress with the same name as me, Michelle Rodriguez.
Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba and Lindsay Lohan could never look as hot as they did in this movie. Talk about power houses, stacked with great bodies and kick-a** style. Some actors who are seen as mediocre found their niche as their characters in Machete. Forget about Miami Vice for Don Johnson. I didn't even recognize him until half way through the movie! Sporting sunglasses, a cowboy hat and lamb chops you would never guess this was the same person who wore pastel shirts and loafers. Johnson plays a sheriff hell-bent on taking out any Mexicans that attempt to cross the border into Texas illegally. DeNiro, that's right Robert DeNiro, is the crooked politician trying to get into office and win over the hearts of Texas folk by demanding that he would stop the leak of illegal immigrants crossing the border.
Alba plays special agent in charge of hunting down illegal operations that facilitate sneaking immigrants from Mexico into the U.S. At about 5'2" this little peanut is as gorgeous as she is tough. Alba finds herself on the edge when she is faced with the option to follow the law or "do what's right" when it comes to controlling illegal immigration and identifying with the mistreated people of her culture. She does her best to control herself from arresting Machete as his trail leads her to the bust of a lifetime. Who would ever think that a cat and mouse game between Danny Trejo and Jessica Alba could be sexy?
Notice that I haven't said much about Danny Trejo's role as the lead character Machete. This is because you need to see him for yourself. Why is it that smashing hits like this do not get the kudos they deserve and end up with two stars? Anyone who rates this film with 2 stars deserves a visit from Machete and has no taste for great directing, nor do they enjoy being entertained with films that offer revenge, non-stop action, a retro sense of style that knocks your socks off. This unique style is like Tarantino's work with a twist. Director Quentin Tarantino has always been a favorite of mine, but I have to admit, either I like Rodriguez better or they're totally even. Inglorious Basterds was a film that gained Tarantino huge recognition. You might be surprised, but this movie was a slight disappointment to me in that it started of with a bang, fizzled out and I was unsure about how I felt at the end. If the last Tarantino film I watched was Pulp Fiction, I would have a harder time stating that the two directors are equally as good as each other. Rodriguez rocks and he's not taking a break away any time soon.
Don't look for any other reviews on Machete because this is the only one you need to know that it is certainly worth the high price of your movie ticket at the theater. See it for yourself and also do yourself a favor and Google Danny Trejo. You will be amazed at the childhood this man had and when you watch Machete you can see the life's worth of pain and strife come out in his character. His own personal experiences, along with the help of family (Rodriguez) have no doubt made Trejo the star he is today and his ruggedness makes him the perfect actor for this part. There is no way that you will not be entertained by Machete unless of course, you are obsessed with mainstream sugar-coated happy ending fairy tale movies. I couldn't keep the grin of satisfaction off of my face for hours after I left the theater.
Director Robert Rodriguez brings action movies back to life. It has been a very long time since I could sit and watch a movie and be completely interested in it for the action alone. I require more of an intricate plot to be entertained these days and I never thought that I'd become interested in action movies again. Machete held my attention and had me begging for more. This is a movie that you never want to end as if your favorite amusement ride was about to come to a stop and you were on your last ticket. There are a few underrated movies that Rodriguez directed or had a hand in creating with the collaboration of other filmmakers. Be certain to check out the following films that you might have missed.
Rodriguez Movies on DVD:
From Disk Till Dawn
Desperado
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Planet Terror
Spy Kids
The Faculty
The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl
Four Rooms
By: Francis DavidMachete A Big Slice of ActionBy: Francis David
