Explosions, comedy, and an unlikely hero make Machete a cut above the average film.
Photo courtesy of imdb.com
Machete is a film that knows it isn’t trying to win any awards.
There is no pretending, no needless drama, no obvious plot changes in the effort to win over a sophisticated audience. However, Machete is an over-the-top action packed flick that places a seemingly average person in a struggle for power.
The hero, Machete is played by Danny Trejo (Predators). With a film like this, it should be noted that the role of the hero is blown out of proportion. He never misses in a fight, kills the bad guys, uses his wit, gets all the ladies, and rides off into the sunset on his trusty steed, Trigger. The deaths of enemies are graphic, the explosions are large and fairly abundant, and the villains are heartless. At one point Machete seems to realize he’s doesn’t play by the same rules as everybody else when he says, “Why would I want to be a real man when I’m already a myth?”
Yes, his heroism is over the top; yes, the explosions and escapes aren’t terribly realistic. But Machete is designed to be an homage to past movies that focused on stunts and not story. This time the story can stand on its own legs, casting off the flashy crutches typical of hero movies.
In an odd twist for a B movie, the plot has a pretty large political message to it. We meet a twisted Texas politician whose only desire seems to be getting elected and having cheap labor build an electric fence to prevent illegal immigration from Mexico. In the first scene, the audience gets a raw view of how cruel Senator McLaughlin (Robert De Niro, Righteous Kill) is when he guns down innocent people. McLaughlin’s strong stance against illegal immigration is the only thing holding his gubernatorial campaign up. In the fashion of the stereotypical bad guy, he delivers speeches that come close to being racially charged against Mexicans.
We also meet Federal Investigator Sartana (Jessica Alba, Valentine’s Day) who does things in a by-the-book manner. Every day she monitors a van that may be linked to an immigration ring and checks if the vendor has their paperwork. This movie carries a pro-immigration message, which is important to keep in mind. At times it is playing up a few stereotypes, so the politically sensitive probably wouldn’t enjoy it.
We join our hero Machete when he is trying to rescue an innocent lady from a ruthless drug lord, Torrez (Steven Seagal, The Keeper). It turns out that this is merely a ploy to trap Machete, and the lady isn’t so innocent. Torrez kills Machete’s wife with his sword, giving Machete a reason for revenge. Three years later, Machete is working as a day laborer in Texas. After effortlessly winning a fight while eating a burrito, Machete is picked up by a man with a beard and a ponytail. This man is the campaign manager for Senator McLaughlin, and he was looking for a day laborer to be a one-time hit man and wound the senator as he is making a public speech.
My favorite part of this scene was when he asks Machete, “Have you ever killed a man?” Machete responds with silence and a menacingly blank expression. He doesn’t take the shot, but another rooftop sniper does, and then turns his sight on Machete. After an awesome chase through a hospital, Machete loses their trail and manages to hide out for a while. The next hour or so is an entertaining game of cat and mouse, featuring Cheech Marin (Race to Witch Mountain) as the shotgun-wielding priest and Don Johnson (When in Rome) as patriotic Lt. Stillman.
For a movie that is made to pay tribute to the explosive films of the 70’s, Machete carries a politically charged plot and an over-the-top hero. Moviegoers may find some lines predictable, but for an action film, it will keep its audience entertained.
★★★★☆
