Machete (2010) R - 4 Stars

OMG - WTF! How the heck do I describe this Tarrintino feeling wild ride. At first, I thought I'd rented a movie I was going to hate. There's more violence before the opening credits then I've ever seen before. But the more I watched, the more it grew on me with it's comedic edge on the politics of immigration. In a sick sort of way, it's refreshing to see a comedy, violent, action, drama, ORIGINAL film, which is also why I gave it an extra 1/2 star. A wee bit more character development in Machete might have given me a warmer fuzzy feel but I have to say for a somewhat serious farce, it was pretty funny, especially towards the end. With an all star cast, Michael Rodriguez is perfect, Cheech is Cheech and fits right into the padre, DeNiro hilarious racist senator, a naked Lindsay Lohan playing herself, Jessica Alba immigration agent with a mean right hook and a heart and Luz, the best looking taco girl around.

If you can handle watching a sharp machete and lots of blood, you will enjoy this film. It's certainly not going to be for anyone who's anti violence. But I've gotta say, I've never seen anyone pull a cell phone from her privates, swing through windows by intestines or laughed at blood squirting. DEFINITELY not for children or anyone easily offended.

Machete (Danny Trejo), used to be a Mexican Federale until he was set up while trying to save a girl while on the job. Remarkly, three years later he's on the street looking for a job. In Texas, he meets Luz "She" (Michelle Rodriguez), a taco vendor who befriends the illegals on the street. Her goal is to create a network to help these people find jobs.

Senator McLaughlin (Robert De Niro), is running for election of the state with his promise to bring an electrical fence to the borders keeping all illegals out. With no cheap day laborers, Americans will be forced to pay more for U.S. products thus making larger profits. The Senator's been seen with a rifle and a group of vigilantes, run by Lt. Von Stillman (Don Johnson), who drive around welcoming illegals crossing the border with a shinny new bullet. McLaughlin needs more public support to win so, sleazy drug lord Torrez (Steven Seagal), and mobster Booth (Jeff Fahey), concoct a plan to attempt the Senator's assassination by a Mexican. Machete is hired for $150,000 US. and he immediately gives the money to Luz to help her support her network. Then he's off to take out McLaughlin. But he's been framed to be the fall guy while another shooter wounds him and the Senator. Aha! The perfect plan right? The Senator is the hero and a Mexican is to blame therefore enforcing the Senators' border plan. But you can't keep a good Machete user down and along with the help of an armed holy man and brother, Padre (Cheech Marin), a caring Mexican immigration agent, Sartana (Jessica Alba), and Machete's new network behind him, they ride into battle in the finest low riders.

Overnight Productions, Hyde Park Entertainment, 20th Century Fox
Directors: Robert Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis
Writers: Álvaro Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis, Robert Rodriguez
Producers: Rick Schwartz, Aaron Kaufman, Elizabeth Avellan

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