Machete Movie (2010)
"Machete" is a 2010 American exploitation action film directed by Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis. The film is an expansion of a fake trailer of the same name published as a part of the promotion of Rodriguez's and Quentin Tarantino's 2007 Grindhouse double-feature. The movie continues the B movie and exploitation style of Grindhouse and includes some of the footage from the original trailer. It stars Danny Trejo in his first lead role as the title character, and co-stars Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Don Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, and Lindsay Lohan. The film was released in the United States by 20th Century Fox and Rodriguez's company, Troublemaker Studios, on September 3, 2010. A sequel, "Machete Kills," was released on October 11, 2013.
The film follows the story of Machete, a former Mexican Federale known for his bravado and skills at taking down even the most hardened criminals. After being hired to perform a covert hit, he is double-crossed and forced to go on the run. The movie is known for its over-the-top homage to 1970s exploitation movies and features a star-studded cast, including Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Don Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, and Lindsay Lohan. The film's style is described as faithful to the B-movies it pays homage to, making for a fun enough time, but not a memorable time. It is also noted for its one-dimensional and recurring political messages in support of the loosening of illegal immigration enforcement on the Mexico-US border.
