Coming from director Robert Rodriguez; the man who gave the world a guitar playing assassin (El Mariachi), the Codpiece Revolver (also known as the Penis Pistol; from Desperado), and a girl with a machine gun for a leg (Planet Terror); Machete comes to DVD and Blu-ray as a similarly themed Mexploitation flick that emphasises action, sex, and comedy.
Not only the name of the giant blade that features so heavily in the film, Machete takes its name from the film’ central character (played by Rodriguez regular Danny Trejo, Predators); a man who begins the film as a Mexican Federale who’s forced to watch his wife’s brutal murder at the hands of a brutal drug lord and a corrupt system, before he manages to flee the country and land in Texas (a U.S. State struggling with massive immigration).
Once in the land of the free, Machete finds it hard to pick up any work (even the usual immigrant labour such as yard work or roofing), until a nefarious political campaigner (Jeff Fahey, Grindhouse) hires him to assassinate a State Senator (played by Little Fockers’ Robert De Niro); who’s re-election campaign is based entirely on anti-immigrant rhetoric.
When it turns out the assignation attempt is a setup, Machete’s left wounded and on the run, whilst being pursued by everyone from the guys who set the job up, to the police, a sexy Immigration Enforcement Agent named Sartana (Jessica Alba, Spy Kids), and even Torrez; the drug lord who killed his wife and chased him out of Mexico (Steven Seagal, Under Siege).
With his only help coming from members of The Network; an underground organisation that helps illegal immigrants cross the border and get settled in the U.S. (headed by a beautiful taco truck operator named Luz; Michelle Rodriguez, Fast & Furious); Machete is left largely on his own, attempting to avoid death at every turn, and eke out his bloody form of revenge against everyone that has wronged him.
We then watch as Machete goes from absurd situation to absurd situation carving out his revenge and cleaving off heads, in ways so ridiculous, that despite their viciousness and clear brutality, become hilarious comical and inexplicably fun to watch; somehow numbing the fact that masses of faces are being sliced up, half of Texas ends the movie without a head, or riddled with bullets, and not only are there numerous life-ending explosions, throat slashes, and heavy machinery incidents, but one real test of intestinal fortitude.
It’s clear that Machete isn’t a film for the squeamish, or those easily embarrassed; and due to Machete’s numerous sexual exploits (which including sharing a bed with numerous beautiful women, and even taking part in a mother & daughter threesome) isn’t a movie that’s suitable for watching with your gran; it’s a film that’s so brash, brazen, and unashamedly out there that it’s likely to offend, and outright disgust, the majority of older viewers, but should be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates Rodriguez’s unique filmmaking style, and obvious sense of humour.
The style of the movie also works brilliantly in creating the humorous tone, with a gritty ‘70s look and feel that emulates the classic Blaxploitation movies, and means that not only is everything more hyped up, more exaggerated, and simply more fun, but continuity errors, realism, and even gigantic plot holes simply don’t matter; things that would undoubtedly ruin other films, but here simply become a source of amusement, to accompany the unbelievably outrageous, uber-stereotypical, hero that’s almost impossible not to like.
Danny Trejo fills the role of the stab-happy ex-Federale with ease; and even though he is a Rodriguez regular, was perfectly cast; seen as how he’s used to being typecast as a violent thug, has very rudimentary acting skills, and would have been perfectly suited to playing a Starsky and Hutch bad guy; having the kind of OTT attitude, cheesy delivery, and grizzled look the epitomises everything Machete is about.
The supporting cast is also amazing, as while there are few stars here that could be classified as truly great actors (aside from the obviously brilliant Robert De Niro; who appreciates a good comedy, and even though he doesn’t quite seem to fit with the rest of the cast, is great as the OTT anti-Mexican Senator), there are a number of fairly well recognized stars and starlets appearing; from Jessica Alba (the popular Dark Angel star) and Michelle Rodriguez (who fills her role well; but perhaps not cheesy enough; and is once again typecast as the strong but beautiful woman who’s always ready for a fight), to Lindsay Lohan (the Freaky Friday star who’s now more famous for her career blunders, substance abuse, and brushes with the law, than her acting), Cheech Marin (of Cheech and Chong fame), and Steven Seagal (in his first big-screen role since 2003’s Half Past Dead).
It’s easy to see why some people will dismiss Machete as a blatant and uninteresting gore-fest (especially seen as how the ridiculous level of violence takes hold within the opening moments of the film, and doesn’t let up until its massively satisfying conclusion), but it’s also just as easy to see how many filmgoers, and particularly Rodriguez fans, will instantly fall in love with it; sure there’s plot holes, continuity errors, and an overall OTT attitude that makes the whole thing completely unbelievable, but that’s all part of Machete’s charm; its cheese, stereotyping, and obscene level of violence and nudity make it a great bit of escapism, a laugh-out-loud comedy, and nothing if not complete and utter fun, from start to finish.
Picture:
Sporting a healthy level of fine film-like grain, Machete’s Blu-ray transfer looks almost exactly how it was intended to; coming complete with a strong level of fine detail, brilliant colour and contrast, and non-existent crush; even the scratches, dirt, and other anomalies that are so heavily visible during the first few minutes of the film (but are then thankfully toned down somewhat) were added intentionally to give Machete a grizzly, ‘70s exploitation feel; which it clearly obtains, is suited for, and thankfully never obscures the wonderful detail.
There’s exceptional clarity throughout the movie, brilliant textures, solid black levels (which only falter slightly in some of the more lowly lit interior scenes), and a generally high-class feel to Machete’s Blu-ray transfer, despite its intentionally grungy nature, inconsistent level of grain, and blatantly obvious green screen effects (which are all either minor and forgivable issues; because of the fun/comedy nature of the film making them amusing; or deliberate and stylistic choices that add to the same fun/comedy nature).
In short there are very few things wrong with the Machete Blu-ray transfer, and those things that are wrong are either extremely minor and entirely forgivable, or deliberate directorial choices that add to the cheap, low-level, exploitation movie feel the film was aiming for; making it a clear hit and resounding success.
Audio:
Similarly strong is Machete’s audio; a bombastic DTS-HD MA 5.1 track that might be a little lacking in ambience here and there, but really comes to life, and truly shines, in the action sequences; where gunshots rip through the soundstage (and about 10,000 people) with excellent directionality, and a fair bit of weight.
Bass is consistent, supremely weighty, and matches the soundtrack as a whole; in that it packs one hell of a punch; and is sometimes simply loud for the sake of being loud; yet whilst sacrificing a little bit of the supreme clarity, the high definition audio formats are capable of producing, for a bit of extra volume may seem like a bad idea, it perfectly suits the movie; adding to the excessive, fun-loving, balls-to-the-wall style of take-it-or-leave it filmmaking, and ensures that any action fan is going to be blown away by Machete’s all out audio bombardment.
Pans are seamless, placement is excellent, and dialogue is well anchored, perfectly levelled, and easily intelligible throughout which, when coupled with the intense action sequences, makes for an audio mix that’s perfectly suited to the film, and guaranteed to please any action fan.
Extras:
Sadly Machete’s, so far stunning, Blu-ray release falls down when it comes to the selection of special features; as aside from a selection of around a dozen deleted scenes (all of which were rightfully cut, but remain worthy of a watch; and mainly centre on additional hitmen scenes, and the wholly deleted character of Agent Sartana’s twin sister), there’s little else to appease the fans desire for more Machete goodness.
As well as a PS3 theme (which is always a nice inclusion; and in this case looks pretty cool; but won’t be of use to every owner), and trailers for The Green Hornet, Priest, Faster, a generic Blu-ray trailer, and ads for the Rodriguez classics El Mariachi and Once Upon a Time in Mexico, the only real piece of bonus material is an entirely pointless Audience Reaction track; which is one of the stupidest special features ever designed (because who really wants to overlay the solid soundtrack, and be distracted from the amazing action, by listening to a cheap laugh track, and hearing a fake audience whoop and holler at every little thing onscreen?).
All in all the extras included on the Machete Blu-ray are a deeply disappointing selection; failing to provide any extra insight into production, or even continue the fun past the deleted scenes; which could have been improved wholesale with the inclusion of an audio commentary, some simple interviews, and a basic making of featurette; suggesting that we may be presented with a double-dip sometime in the near future (especially as an even more brutal director’s cut has already been hinted at).
The Bottom Line:
A balls-to-the-wall action movie that dives right in with a, take-it-or-leave-it, ‘fuck you’ attitude and a machete to the throat, then never lets go; Machete is a film you’ll love within the first five minutes of its runtime, or walk away; it clearly isn’t a film for everyone, but it’s bold, brutal, and bloody brilliant; a film that takes no prisoners, asks no forgiveness, and bathes in the seedy, OTT excesses that make it such a fun ride, and a thoroughly entertaining watch.
And while the limited special features might not be a great selling point, the stunning picture and audio quality (which perfectly suit the film, thanks to their own stylisation and excesses) mean that this is still a solid release, and that Blu-ray is definitely the way to go for any true Machete fan.
It’s cheesy, cheap, unrealistic, excessive, obsessive, bloodthirsty and utterly relentless; perfectly resting in that sweet spot between spoof and homage, Machete is wrong on so many levels but inescapably fun; more violent than Saw, more cheesy than a block of Wensleydale, and littered with more than enough plot holes, continuity errors, and dodgy effects, to sink a regular movie, but seemingly uses its flaws to develop the ironic tone that makes it such a hit.
If you’re looking for a serious thriller, a macabre revenge movie, or a thought-provoking social-exploration of immigrant trials and tribulations, you better look elsewhere, as Machete is what it always claimed to be; a cheesy, ultra-violent, almost satirical, B-Movie that’s revels in its gore, sex, and excesses; perfect for any Robert Rodriguez fan, or anyone who loves a good action movie, and can forgive the loss of realism for a thoroughly entertaining film.
Machete is a film that comes highly recommended, and if you’ve seen the trailers, looked at a poster, or even just read this review, and think it could be an interesting watch, then buying the Blu-ray would be the best move you could make; as if you’re not instantly turned off by its absurdity, you’re bound to love it, and will undoubtedly be hitting the play button soon after it’s finished; because this is one of the most easily re-watchable films to be released for quite some time.
