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:

Michelle Rodriguez as She

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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 [be]

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

When Sartana pulls up Machete's file on her laptop, it shows the following information: Birth Name: Machete Cortez; Nationality: Mexican; Race: Hispanic; Date of Birth: 16 May 1944 (actual birth date of Danny Trejo who plays Machete); Place of Birth: Juarez, Ch, Mexico; Aliases: Cuchillo, Navajas (names of characters played by Danny Trejo in other movies directed by Robert Rodriguez; Height: 5' 11"; Weight: 210 lbs; Military Status: Ex-Federale; Whereabouts: Unknown; Identifying Marks: Tattoo of woman wearing a sombrero on chest.

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Goofs

In the opening scene where Machete and his partner are attacking the drug-house, it is very clear to see both his partner get shot from the front, and the windscreen take a few bullets, as they approach the building. However, when the car crashes through the building, the windscreen is completely intact and bullet-hole-less.

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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

Referenced in Call of the Dead (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Ave Maria"
Music by Charles Gounod (uncredited)
Performed by CHINGON

User Reviews

Why is this not billed as a comedy?

When I saw the trailer for this film I thought it had to be trash but I laughed almost from the beginning to the end. Tongue in cheek humour - it's all intentional, there is nothing unfunny about Machete.

I was ready for a lot of gore but it was all done in such a hilarious way that I hardly noticed how disgusting it was. I fact, I was still laughing 5 minutes after I left the cinema.

If he wasn't already so old I would say Danny Trejo was an undiscovered talent set for a meteoric rise, but the guy is already 64. I never could have guessed as the adrenaline and action pumped incessantly.... and hysterically this weather-beaten old dude also managed effortlessly to bed any chiquita he came across, and in style too.

Machete kills and maims and has sex all the way through the movie, but amazingly he is also a gentleman. you have to love him.

The best movie I have seen this year and the best movie of this genre for some time. Top marks for not taking itself one bit seriously but knowing exactly how to entertain!