Machete (2010)

After being set-up and betrayed by the man who hired him to assassinate a Texas Senator, an ex-Federale launches a brutal rampage of revenge against his former boss.

Directors:

Ethan Maniquis, Robert Rodriguez

Writers:

Robert Rodriguez, Álvaro Rodríguez

Stars:

Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danny Trejo	...	Machete Cortez
Robert De Niro	...	Senator John McLaughlin
Jessica Alba	...	Sartana
Steven Seagal	...	Rogelio Torrez
Michelle Rodriguez	...	Luz
Jeff Fahey	...	Michael Booth
Cheech Marin	...	Padre
Don Johnson	...	Von Jackson
Shea Whigham	...	Sniper
Lindsay Lohan	...	April
Daryl Sabara	...	Julio
Gilbert Trejo	...	Jorge
Ara Celi	...	Reporter
Tom Savini	...	Osiris Amanpour
Billy Blair	...	Von's Henchman

Storyline

The highly skilled Federale Machete is hired by some unsavory types to assassinate a senator. But just as he's about to take the shot, he notices someone aiming at him and realizes he's been set up. He barely survives the sniper's bullet, and is soon out for revenge on his former employers, with the reluctant assistance of his brother Cheech Marin, who has become a priest and taken a vow of nonviolence. If you hire him to take out the bad guys, make sure the bad guys aren't you!

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Plot Keywords:

machete | set up | senator | revenge | federale | 

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Taglines:

If you're going to hire Machete to kill the bad guy, you better make damn sure the bad guy isn't you!

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Genres:

Action | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Belgium]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish Hungarian

Release Date:

3 September 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Maceta

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£90,423 (UK) (26 November 2010)

Gross:

£90,423 (UK) (26 November 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Overnight Films, Troublemaker Studios, Dune Entertainment III

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The address of the church on the transcript of Booth's confession to Padre (4900 Old Manor Rd, Austin, TX) is actually the address to Troublemaker Studios, the film production company founded and owned by director Robert Rodriguez.

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Goofs

Even though Machete Cortez falls on Sartana's BMW car's front hood after the house explosion, it's later seen in perfect condition.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Federale Officer: [in Spanish; subtitled] We're federal agents, not martyrs. This is suicide. She's just another kidnap victim.
[holding up picture]
Federale Officer: What makes her special? Because she's a witness against Torrez? He probably has her locked up, drugged our of her mind. We don't have to do this!
Machete: If not us, then who?

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Crazy Credits

Before the end credits roll: "Machete will return in Machete Kills and Machete Kills Again."

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Connections

References Ms. 45 (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Machete"
Performed by Nova Lima
Written by Del Solar, Li Carrillo, Morales, Pérez-Prieto
Licensed Courtesy of Mr. Bongo Worldwide Limited
www.mrbongo.com

User Reviews

Machete delivers

This film is what it says it is. Nothing less. And perhaps a little more.

Most of Machete's critics that have given overall negative reviews, have fallen into a trap of their own devices. Machete is an exploitation film and was advertised as such. By definition, and exploitation film will include excessive violence, gore, nudity, and be high on intentional corny lines while low on plot devices and character development. To give low ratings to Machete because of one's distaste for the genre, would be like saying "The Shinning was awful because I don't like horror."

This is one of Rodriguez best films to date, side by side with Sin City (2005). Machete delivers on all accounts of action, gore, nudity, and corny lines. The plot is simple, but honestly, that's how it should be. The thing that sets this apart from other exploitation films is that the acting is top notch. I personally found that the three main female characters to be the most intriguing and diverse.

Jessica Alba plays the part of an ICE agent struggling with her loyalty to her nation and her people. She slowly begins to question her own logic on if people should follow law simply because they are laws. We see this struggle immediately, when she approaches a taco stand (apparently once every week) to by a coffee and lunch, despite her own people feeling from her site. Why does she continue this ritual? She says it is to check the papers of the character Luz, but really it is to try and hold onto a sliver of identity among her people.

Michelle Rodriguez plays said Luz (aka She) as an underground leader of illegal immigration. The character of Luz is a simple woman who believes in not bending to the broken system, but fighting for her people (the mirror image of Alba). "She" is only a myth on which Luz has built a cult following, understanding that sometimes being a myth can do more damage than flesh and blood. By the end of the film, Luz is reborn as the mythical She, just in time for the bloody battle.

Finally, the actress that surprised me the most was Lindsay Lohan. Despite only receiving 10-15 minutes of screen time (most are which she is undressed), she plays her character perfectly and flawlessly. The role seems to be written specifically for her and I applaud her for stepping up and taking on such a mature role. One of her first scenes is a tongue-in-cheek conversation about how she needs to give the people of the internet what they want, and that is more of her. Lohan played the part beautifully (in all aspects) and specks of talent are clearly visible. I hope that filmmakers and audiences (as well as herself) continue to allow her opportunities to showcase that talent.

Machete is an exploitation film at its finest. And, for the most part, if you are the type of cinema attendee who wants to see a movie called Machete in the first place, chances are you will be thoroughly entertained.