‘Machete’ a guilty pleasure “Machete” pays tribute to the low-budget exploitation movies of the 1970s as it spins the tale of a Mexican lawman out for revenge. Lead actor Danny Trejo doesn’t have to say much. His many scars and tattoos do the talking for him as he brings his big knife to a series of cartoonishly violent gunfights. He is one member of an eclectic cast that includes Robert De Niro as a racist politician, Jessica Alba as a cop, Steven Seagal as a scumbag and Cheech Marin as a shotgun-toting priest. Michelle Rodriguez, who has played roles in everything from “Lost” to “Avatar,” offers her standard performance and Lindsay Lohan maintains consciousness long enough to deliver her few lines. In some ways, “Machete” as a whole is merely a bad joke. The movie started as a fake By Daniel Dunkle trailer in the “Grindhouse” double feature that came out a few years ago. Then and now, “Machete” was about making fun of the old B-movies for which director Robert Rodriguez seems to have a real affection. To achieve this effect, he has done something to the film to make it look grainy and scratched in places. The editing is purposely sloppy. Any time an attractive woman enters the picture, a funky bass beat starts playing, and in the places where it needs a voice over, it’s the cheesy tough-guy voice you associate with old movie
Down in Front
scene SCENE SCENE
the the
October 2010
film
18
trailers. Even the look of the credits is artistically retro, giving you the same sense of nostalgia you might experience watching a 30-year-old soda pop commercial. To a large extent, “Machete” isn’t like one of those ‘70s movies. It is one of those movies. Only made for more money, I’m assuming, and featuring a brand-name cast. It also has a certain self-awareness that comes from purposely trying to achieve an effect that used to just come from sloppiness. As a guy who grew up watching low-budget horror movies from John Carpenter and his peers, I get a kick out of this retro treatment. There are several laugh-out-loud moments in “Machete,” making it sort of a guilty pleasure. Most of the humor comes during the over-the-top fight sequences where the violence is so extreme you can’t take it any more seriously than you would an “Itchy & Scratchy” cartoon. That said, much of the movie is in pretty poor taste in terms of sex, language and violence. It’s the kind of entertainment you have to rationalize, so beware. It’s clear that Rodriguez is a disciple of director Quentin Tarantino (“Inglourious Basterds”), and he follows his playbook pretty closely. For example, he continues Ta r a n t i no’s tradition of taking ac-
tors that were once household names but who have been out of work for a while, dusting them off and getting something new out of them. In “Machete,” Miami Vice star Don Johnson comes out of retirement to play a redneck militiaman bent on killing illegal immigrants coming over the Mexican border. Tom Savini, known best for his role in 1978’s “Dawn of the Dead,” also makes an appearance. However, where Tarantino is the master of snappy dialogue, Rodriguez falls short. Instead, the “Machete” director is the master of the ultra-violent, action sight gag, the best involving a meat thermometer, but I won’t give it all away. And while Tarantino’s movies have evolved to the level of artistry that gains academy recognition, Rodriguez seems content to wallow in drive-in nostalgia. Rodriguez does flirt with substance as he inserts a political plotline about Mexican immigration policy. A message may be unusual in this genre, but I’ll award him credit where due.
the
review
Verdict: A guilty pleasure. Grade: B
Genre: Action, makers Geeking out: Tom Savini, Genre:From the Funky bassof:beats exploitation, comedy known for 1978’s “Dawn Action, Desperado, Grindhouse of the exploitation, From the makers of: Dead,” shows up Style: 70’s, grainy, violent Appearances: Lindsay comedy Desperado, Grindhouse Lohan dresses as aAppearances: nun; Verdict: A guilty Style: Starring: Danny Trejo, Miami Vice star Don 70’s, grainy, violent Lindsay Lohan dressespleasure. as a nun; Robert De Niro Johnson comes out of Starring: Miami Vice star Don Johnson Grade: B Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro retirement comes out of retirement Music: Funky bass beats Music: Geeking out: photo from tkmovies.wordpress.com
Mid-Coast Dental Hygiene, LLC Traci L. Dempsey, IPDH
Midcoast Computer Coach 207.354.6934
316 River rd. Cushing, Me 04563 midcoastcomputercoach.com
Mid-Coast Dental Hygiene LLC offers a full range of affordable dental hygiene services. Patients of all ages welcome.
~ Dental Cleanings ~ Fluoride Treatments ~ Sealants ~ Referrals ~ And More!
Please call today to find out how affordable it can be to enjoy your smile! We Welcome Mainecare and Insurance.
Visit us at: www.midcoastdhs.com Traci L. Dempsey, IPDH (277) 380-6445