Low budget filmmakers in the 1970’s cranked out hundreds of cheap movies meant to titillate the masses. The seedy, grimy, urban theaters of the era played host to import martial arts films, porn, Black-action movies, horror, and violent thrillers. Today we refer to this as the exploitation era. I was just a kid during that time, but that hasn’t stopped my generation from wholeheartedly embracing these often overlooked and disregarded genres. Leave it to Generation X’s most famous directors to not only keep it alive but create a revival as well.
In 2007, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez attempted to recreate the seedy, downtown theater experience (which they are also too young to have experienced) with their film, Grindhouse. The movie featured Rodriguez’ take on Italian zombie films and Tarantino’s marriage of 70’s serial killer films and car flicks. Despite the faux film scratches, shoddy film splices, and its cult appeal, the film failed to catch on with the general public.
While the film was divisive, almost everyone loved the fake trailers used to bridge the two films and Robert Rodriguez boldly claimed that he would make a full-length film out of his fake trailer, Machete. He did it and luckily his retro Mexploitation masterpiece easily lives up to the glory of that beloved two-minute short.
Rodriguez, the king of DIY independent filmmaking, has made a film which even more successfully delivers the grindhouse experience than the film of the same name. Machete stars Rodriguez regular and supporting tough guy Danny Trejo in his first starring role and he makes the most of his opportunity in this campy, slam bang, gun-blazing gorefest.
The story has to do with border control, worker’s rights, and an underground movement helping illegal aliens. It gets a little complex and heavy-handed but luckily it doesn’t spoil the fun despite dragging the running time out. Instead, Rodriguez delivers over-the-top action and quite a bit of R-rated humor. Following the grindhouse sensibility, Machete features gunfights, fistfights, gore, nudity, and amps it up to the highest level. Machete is a silent and stoic hero who finds the most inventive ways to kill the bad guys and bed all the ladies.
It’s all tongue-in-cheek and played very much for laughs but it’s done so in a way which pays homage to the films that drove guys like me (hardcore film junkies) to search through dark and dusty video stores in search of rare and forgotten gems.
Rodriguez has put together an eclectic cast including Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, Jeff Fahey, Seagal, Don Johnson, and Robert DeNiro. DeNiro seems out of place playing a Texas politician, but there is actually a funny explanation for that. No one bothers to take the material seriously and you can tell everyone is having a good time.
Machete is a little long for its own good and Rodriguez’s inventive gags start to peter out towards the end. That’s a shame because the film’s first half is great and includes the best window escape you’ll ever see. Regardless, you’ll probably find yourself busting a gut at the comedy and the hyperviolence on display.
Rodriguez is kind of a hit or miss guy (contrast Desperado and Sin City against the dreadful Once Upon a Time in Mexico), but he does this on his own terms and you have to applaud him for that. This time out, he’s made a definite crowd-pleaser.
4.25 out of 5
Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity.
Tony Robinson is a past host of KATU's Movie Guys film review segment and currently reviews movies exclusively for KATU.com. He lives in Portland with his wife, son and action figure collection. He can be reached at tonerobe@hotmail.com.
