Machete Movie Review 8.5/10!

First of all, I am giving this movie a high score not because this is my type of film, but because it is actually an incredibly well made film. However, that does not mean this movie is for everybody. Actually I wouldn't go so far as to say this movie is even for MOST people. This film most readily makes me think of a movie like "Black Dynamite," and indeed the two are very similar and have many things in common. This film though, has a similar film grain, and look and feel to a film like "Django," where the film and style quality of a movie like "Black Dynamite" more closely resembles a film like "Shaft." Actually there is even a small character named Django in this film, whose line makes a reference to the film as well. What is this film exactly? Is it a serious film? Is it a mocking film? Is it an exploitation film? Is if making fun of exploitation films? Basically all of the above. Robert Rodriguez unquestionably was trying to make a well made film. Sure, it was bloody, and cheesy, and unrealistic, but it was supposed to be. The attention to detail in accomplishing its retro-seventies campiness was quite spectacular actually. The music was excellent, and incredibly well timed with the scenes. The cinematography is excellent. Despite the style and graininess Rodriguez does have a very good talent for framing his scenes and using the minimum amount of technology for the maximum movie making effect.

The acting in this film is pretty darn good. Mostly its character
Guys, being put in roles for who they are and what not. For example, Lindsay Lohan plays a drugged up internet model Lolita. Not exactly a huge stretch to see her in that role. Robert De Niro and Don Johnson are both good in their roles, but their acting is really what gives them appeal in this film. The appeal is just seeing THOSE guys in these absurd roles. Everybody In this film is good in their own quirky little ways. Jeff Fahey plays a good evil jerk with his cold dead eyes. Cheech Marin, Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba, and in particularly Danny Trejo all do their jobs well and contribute to making this oddball of a film work. As I said earlier, this movie isn't for everybody. It also isn't movie making of the quality of, say, an Inglorious Basterds, but it is very much done in that style. It takes that same spaghetti western style and runs with it, but turns it into a modern Mexican exploitation spoof so to speak. Some of the absurd things it says will actually hit pretty close to home in this day and age, but even with that, people should not take its message seriously. Its trying for shocks and laughs, not trying to pound home a political point. If you like the absurd violence and laughs of "Planet Terror" then this film is for you. If you don't like that type of film, then you should run from this film fleeing.