By Malice Intended

After being nearly killed by the ruthless drug lord Torrez (Steven Seagal), Federale Machete Cortez (Danny Trejo) finds himself living a meager existence as a day laborer in Texas. His deadly skills come in handy when shady businessman Michael Booth (Jim Fahey) commissions him to assassinate Senator McLaughlin (Robert De Niro), whose anti-illegal immigration stance threatens to cause major problems down the line.  When Machete realizes he is actually a pawn in a larger game, he enlists the help of immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Sartana (Jessica Alba) and Taco Truck owner Luz (Michelle Rodriguez) to clear his name and bring the bad guys to justice.

Machete started out as a fake trailer that was meant to accessorize 2007’s Grindhouse.  Director Robert Rodriguez has expanded it into a full length feature that is very much in the same vein as his double feature collaboration with Quentin Tarantino.  Coming at this point in Rodriguez’ career, it is more or less a variation on a theme.  Viewers who are familiar with past Robert Rodriguez films such as Desperado and From Dusk Till Dawn will find themselves in instantly recognizable territory while less seasoned viewers may feel a bit disoriented and underwhelmed. 

Visually, Machete goes out of its way to resemble the rather primitive action films that became fixtures of late night cable during the 80’s.  It repeats many of the same tricks that were employed in both Grindhouse and Kill Bill, but to considerably lesser effect.  Curiously they are used in much more subtle and sparing fashion than in either of those films, but the diminished novelty value makes them stand out like a sore thumb.  Such window dressing is gimmicky and unnecessary. Rodriguez’ constant allusions to Machete’s B-movie roots have the unintended effect of making the film seem like an elaborate spoof.

The action scenes revel in cartoon violence.  Though this is to be expected, that doesn’t stop it from being tiresome.  Over the past decade, action cinemas approach towards violence has become less serious and ever more detached from reality.  Rodriguez lays it on thick but the lack of consistency becomes irritating.  Certain gags achieve the desired shocks and laughs; others are there simply to fill screen time.  A more straight forward approach to the violence would have suited the film better.

[pro-player width=’425′ height=’344′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8cCzltPD6Y[/pro-player]

Lengthy dialogue scenes pad the running time and bog the film down.  A film like Machete doesn’t need a ton of exposition or character development to do its job, but the usually economical Robert Rodriguez ignores this.  There are far too many slow and talky moments.  Machete should feel like a well oiled machine.  Instead, it feels like a bloated director’s cut.  The script and plotting are as uneven as the action scenes.

Machete shines brightly in the casting department, as everyone in the ensemble provides the film with more than a few bright spots.  Michelle Rodriguez and Jessica Alba are surprisingly the most pleasant and relatable characters in the entire film.  Danny Trejo’s weathered visage and imposing presence say more than any amount of dialogue ever could.  Robert De Niro is entertaining, though his presence in the film is hardly necessary.  Jeff Fahey hams it up appropriately.   Steven Seagal’s shortcomings as an actor serve him well as the one note villain.

Machete is neither one of Robert Rodriguez best nor one of his worst.  It treads over familiar ground and finds nothing new to say.  Rodriguez seems to have made this film with the express purpose of providing Danny Trejo with his own franchise.  While the prospect of such an endeavor is more than welcome, surely Rodriguez could have come up with something a bit more inspired and lively than this.  The original trailer for Machete provides much more entertainment value in a scant few minutes than its feature length companion is able to manage.

 2.75 Out of 5

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