Machete [2 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray] [2010]

Robert Rodriguez started off with a bang in his directorial career, with El Mariachi, Desperado, From Dusk 'til Dawn and more filling his rapidly expanding resume. Then around 2001 things started to change. I knew from the get go he wore many hats while making his films, but around Spy Kids I noticed he started to cater more to a childrens audience and spread himself too thin, taking on Writer,Director,Editor,Composer,Conductor,Visual Effects,Producing,Camera Operator,Sound Designer,Sound Editor,Cinematographer, and Production Designer on most of his films. Yes, he does produce a modestly budgeted film (nothing over $40 million usually) but taking on too much responsibility, you start to lose focus on story and direction and quality. Most of the films he made since have been either terrible kid films or some huge letdowns (Sin City and Grindhouse notwithstanding) that makes me take each of his films with a grain of salt. Machete was first in the aforementioned Grindhouse as a fake trailer, but it soon grew into cult status and thus we have today Machete. I do enjoy B-movies, and this screams B-movie to a fault. The film is intentionally exploitative (Mexsploitation?) and loaded with ultraviolent deaths and action scenes filled with gore, grit and a toothy grin on my face. No its not perfect, but Danny Trejo is Machete (!!!) and just kills it, with the rest of the cast being a mix of either good to why are they here. Its not a return to form, but it made me smile ear to ear and satisfied my B-movie cravings. The PQ & AQ are well done with the PQ being sharp and crisp (With the first few minutes being digitally altered to look like film with scratches and etc.) with the digitally shot feature offering detail brimming with sun baked buildings, clothing exceptionally detailed and Trejo's craggled face disturbingly detailed. The audio is filled with loud and detailed gunfights, explosions, dialogue and surround sound goodness. The extras though.... after seeing almost every Rodriguez DVD and Blu Ray offer tons of high quality extras (Sin City being his best DVD/Blu Ray) its a sad trend that only a few extras make it on the DVD. All there is are some deleted scenes and trailers with a digital copy on a separate DVD. No commentary, no Ten Minute Film School, no making-of's or featurettes of any kind. Still, if you can get it for around $10 (Hopefully less), you will get a fun movie, with great specs and disappointing extras. The reviewer will return with a review of: MACHETE KILLS..... When I buy it.

Much respect to Mr Trejo, this movie might not be everyone’s cup of tea, nonetheless it’s one of the best

Blaxsploitation films were and still are pretty awesome. Coffy, Truck Turner, Hell Up In Harlem just stating some of the classics of the genre. It died out in the 1970's, with only a couple of spoofs to stave off the audiences. The Hebrew Hammer tried to recapture the charm with middling results, but Robert Rodriguez wanted to try to recapture the 1970's with Machete. And he mostly succeeds with the over-the-top excesses that those films provided in spades. Danny Trejo IS Machete, with the rest of the cast pretty much being decent with Cheech Marin being a standout. The story is mostly filler but its all in good fun. The bluray picture is sharp and steady with the audio being loud and clear. The extras are disappointing, with an okay audience reaction track and some deleted scenes to round things out. I was hoping for a re-release with the sequel coming out last year, but nonetheless at the right price it's a must own!

If you like some bizarre fight scenes with a lot of lopped off body parts, then "Machete" is right down your alley. Actually, it's a pretty good flick with a great cast about a Mexican Federale (Danny Trejo) who's set up when he's hired to assassinate a bigoted Texan State Senator. It's a parody of sorts as it plays off a lot of social stereotypes. Not for the faint of heart, "Machete" is a good popcorn flick for those who don't mind the gore.

Oddly funny with some know actor's. Just another movie on the shelf.

Actually a really fun movie with some ridiculous action

This movie was great from beginning to end and surprised me big time!! Also this is Danny Trejo at his best and I'm glad that a 2 minute trailer ended up becoming a full length film and hope we can get more movies in the style of grindhouse!!

This is violent, stupid, over-the-top, and cartoonish... which is exactly why I love it. Danny Trejo plays the lead killing machine with cameos from Robert DeNiro, Cheech Marin, Steven Segal and many more. Totally entertaining.