After his debut of El Mariachi (1992), Robert Rodriguez started work on it's sequel/remake/whatever, Desperado (1995). It was on the set where he met character actor Danny Trejo, who played the silent character of Navajas. Rodriguez saw Trejo had a toughness and tenacity about his persona, and envisioned Trejo in his own series of films, and the main character would be called Machete. However, Machete would appear before this film, he appeared throughout Robert Rodriguez's Spy Kids trilogy, as Uncle Machete. A few years later, Machete got a fake trailer of his own in Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's double bill Grindhouse (2007). Although Grindhouse flopped sadly, the character of Machete lived on, and Rodriguez wanted to do a straight-to-video film of Machete. But, fan demand for the character was strong, the fake trailer from Grindhouse had been doing the rounds on YouTube, he was become a cult, even before the film was made. But, that was enough for Rodriguez, and he was finally able to get Machete made, and the result is one of Rodriguez's best films in years. Thoroughly entertaining, very funny, and with graphic, cartoonish violence throughout.
It starts off in Mexico a few years ago, where Machete (Trejo) was a Mexican Federale whose family were killed by notorious drugs baron Torrez (Steven Seagal), flash forwards a few years, and he is now across the border in Texas, roaming around looking for whatever work he can find. He is friendly with local taco seller Luz (Michelle Rodriguez), who was once a revolutionary called Shé. After witnessing Machete's skills in a street fight, local businessman Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey) hires him for a bit of work. But, it's a dirty job, Booth wants Machete to kill patriotic Texan senator John McLaughlin (Robert De Niro). However, Machete has been set up by Booth, who is actually working for McLaughlin as a spin doctor. The whole thing is an act so that an assassination attempt draws more support for McLaughlin, who wants to build an electric fence along the U.S./Mexico border. Machete is badly wounded, but finds help from Luz and his brother Padre (Cheech Marin). But, Machete wants payback, and forms a plan to get back at McLaughlin and Booth. Meanwhile, Immigrations Officer Sartana Rivera (Jessica Alba) is assigned to capture Machete, but then she learns the truth about what's really going on. McLaughlin is in league with psychopathic border patrolman Von Jackson (Don Johnson) who is working for Torrez. But, Machete will stop at nothing to get even with Booth, McLaughlin, Jackson and Torrez. Because...
THEY JUST FUCKED WITH THE WRONG MEXICAN!! 
Now, THIS is more like it!! With violent action films like Kick-Ass, The Expendables and Red coming out this year, it's good to see an action film that doesn't let up on the violence. It's gory and brutal, but you want to cheer along with it. The baddies will always lose up against Machete, even when he's badly wounded, Machete is still up for a fight. But, it's still a delightful romp. The result is Rodriguez's best film in ages, it's similiar with the tone of From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), but it's like Planet Terror (2007) for thrills and violence!! Rodriguez even shared his duties on this film, (he normally does everything himself, but he shares directing duties with his co-editor, Ethan Maniquis.) But, it makes a refreshing change from the kids films Rodriguez has been doing recently, *coughsharkboyandlavagirlcough*. Rodriguez found his maturity early on with his films, but they always had a sense of fun about them. They were done on the cheap, and so is Machete. It uses footage from the original Grindhouse fake trailer. But it's got sex and nudity throughout too, something alot of films today daren't not touch upon. But, this does in glorious detail!!
Castwise, Rodriguez has made great choices throughout. He gives Danny Trejo a lead part in this film, after years of bit parts, cameos and supporting roles. It's a great part, a brooding, tough action hero, but one who will never give up, and at the age of 66, Trejo can kick ass!! Never mind The Expendables, Trejo would take them on!!
This is Steven Seagal's first part as a villain, and his first cinema release since 2002. But, he plays a nasty piece of work, but he's a hardass to rival Machete. Welcome back Seagal!!
Other standouts include Marin as the foul-mouthed Padre ("I absolve you of all your sins, now get the fuck out!!"
) Even De Niro has fun as the dastardly Senator, even though he hasn't made good choices lately, Rodriguez has fun with one of the greats, and gives De Niro one of his best roles in years, and Jeff Fahey is another good baddie. But, one thing Rodriguez has always been good at is writing strong female characters. Michelle Rodriguez's Luz, whose revolutionary alter-ego Shé comes into play, Jessica Alba's Agent Santana Rivera is strong who decides "there's the law and there's what's right." and even Lindsay Lohan kicks ass and gets naked too.
Oh, and it's always good to see Don Johnson!!
We need more films like Machete, action films these days always pussy out for younger audience with violence watered down. Not Machete, it gives you lots of nice, gory violence and explicit nudity, like proper action films should. It's very old fashioned too, this wouldn't have been out of place 20-25 years ago. But, it's very entertaining with some moments of heroic action. It even leaves the door open for more Machete films, and I hope there is. Machete is a hero for the ages. It's made profit already, and has found a big audience amongst the masses in America. But, I saw this one afternoon in a cinema in downtown Vancouver, and the audience were cheering and whooping along to whenever Machete kicked ass. It'll go down well here, I know it!!
