Machete

The opening scene of Machete is full of stupendous splatter, a naked woman (who hides a mobile in a very secret place, a la that episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm), loud guitars on the soundtrack and garish titles. Sounds a bit Grindhouse, right? Well, as most people will know, Robert Rodriguez film follows on from the faux trailer that split Death Proof and Planet Terror in the original Grindhouse release. As we also know, those films died a box office death, with most people hailing the fake trailers as being better than both films. This is much better than the Rodriguez helmed Planet Terror, but, unlike that film, this does have a problem in the fact it’s outrageous storyline does at times try to make a few serious comments, particularly regarding immigration. This is still bonkers though. Danny Trejo stars as Machete, an ex-police officer who is forced into assassinating a senator (Robert DeNiro) by a ruthless businessman (Jeff Fahey). Machete is double crossed and yep, it’s revenge time! Machete hacking his way through the film with his weapon of choice and anything else particularly nasty he can find. It’s all tongue on cheek, but its still not for the queasy. One escape scene through a hospital window its particularly hilarious / gross. Acting wise Trejo isn’t great, but still, he looks the part. Much better is the support, with De Niro, and particularly Fahey, in on the joke and chewing up the scenery with relish. Don Johnson (humorously billed as “….and introducing…”) is also great as a border vigilante. It isn’t all great performance wise though, with Jessica Alba being bland as an immigration officer and Steven Seagal dire as a drug overlord. It all falls apart very quickly at the end with an disappointing final battle (it just gets too silly), but when the end credits roll you’ll be chuckling all the way to the exit doors when voice over man informs us that Machete will return in “Machete Kills” and “Machete Kills…..Again!”.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Rodriguez gets the Grindhouse ingredients right this time. Not a classic, but should gain a cult following. Rating 6/10.