Machete

Before I break the ice and get into this review, you should know Machete is an PRIME example of an exploitation film and was definitely advertised as such. By definition, and exploitation film will include excessive violence, gore, nudity, and be high on intentional corny lines while low on plot devices and character development. This film personifies all of the facets that a 1970s blaxploitation film would have, except with the Hispanic culture. 

It is pretty much an expansion of a fake trailer that was released together with Rodriguez' and Quentin Tarantino's 2007 Grindhouse. As a big fan of Robert Rodriguez films I must say that this is one of his best films to date. Its pretty much neck and neck with his 2005 hit Sin City. Machete does what a good film needs to do, it keeps a simple plot with some top notch acting. The story revolves around an immigrant, Machete (Danny Trejo), a former Mexican Federale turned renegade. After a shakedown with a druglord (Steven Segal), Machete roams Texas looking to do yard work in exchange for money. 

One thing is for certain Danny Trejo is the star player who is finally getting his due as a lead. For all those familiar with him, know that Trejo was pretty much a bad-ass who made appearances never the leading role, until now. He proves with this film that he is very much capable of holding up on his own. Age never stopped anybody, definitely not in his case.

In addition, to him  I personally was intrigued and surprised at the same time the effort or lack there of Lindsay Lohan's character. Considering she really only has 10-15 minutes of screen time (primarily undressed), her character performs perfectly and flawlessly. In a weird twisted way the role almost appears as though it was written specifically for her (Kudos for stepping up and taking on such a mature role.) This was a great movie for filmmakers and audiences to have an opportunity to see her showcase that talent.

The whole cast in general is a sight to see. Rodriguez pulled the stops with this one including everyone from Steven Segal, Don Johnson, Robert DeNiro, Jessica Alba, and several others. We as audience members get an opportunity see a good mix of actors play roles that may not be expected of them. Rodriguez and Trejo should be commended on how fantastic the role of Machete was played out on the screen. To think at the current age of 66, the action Trejo does is damn near phenomenal. Machete is grand, illustration type of  character who always gets the one-up on the bad guys and the good love of the ladies, and you can just sense that Trejo is loving every moment of it. Thankfully we are too.

Machete is the perfect film to conclude the summer blockbusters of 2010.

Rating: 3 out of 4 stars

Predators...Not Too Bad

Now if you ever heard of a movie that sneaks up on you, this would be the perfect example!! I did not see this movie coming at all. This is one of those all of sudden flicks that came out. So needless to say I have no expectations except please let it be a decent film. I have been let down a lot already this summer.

Now there was a slight thought of if this was going to be a remake of the 1987 film, but I didn't jump to that assumption. To be specific, the film is a sequel to Predator (1987) and semi-sequel to Predator 2 (1990) while ignoring the two AVP films (Thank God!!). I will say this the storyline is pretty much the same, a group of elite warriors are hunted by members of a merciless alien race known as "Predators", but in a sense its like the game has been reborn.

Let me first start out with the best part of the movie, the acting. It's not often that a sci-fi movie will give you a great plot as well as good acting, but this movie was different. Adrien Brody did a great job of playing the lead Royce, an ex-military turned mercenary. He is able to do one things not to ruin the film and that is too over-act, which he could have easily done! As a matter of fact, the whole cast shed some light on what it takes to be a good-qualified actors. There was a wide range of personalities from an ex-military, to a black ops sniper, to a seemingly innocent doctor (Topher Grace), to a drug cartel enforcer (Danny Trejo), to a RUF death squad officer, to a Yakuza assassin, to a Russian Spetsnaz commando (Oleg Taktarov), and even a notorious and deadly death-row inmate. Can you say wow!! Surely got my attention!  It was very interesting to see how each character was unique in their own way and able to hold their own weight in their role. Cause this movie was full of twists in additions to all kinds of the questions popping into your head, but at the same time they are getting answered while watching.

With all that out the way, next comes the story and plot, for the most part it does a pretty good job of continuing the the story of "The Most Dangerous Game". I was very pleased to see the story itself is well written and not rushed, as the viewer you are able to to unfold each events in a flowing manner, as well as ample time given to develop characters. There is really a fear and eerie feeling in the story, and we don't get to see the hunters very often, which adds more thrill and suspense to the story; just like the original flick. To me an unseen threat is more scarier than seeing the perpetrator every minute.

Now what can be better than having an outstanding cast and story, but also add "eccentric & wild" producer Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi, Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn) he gives the film the much appreciated aesthetics and stylistic idiosyncrasies. If there ever were to be a more convincing statement of intent in relaunching this franchise, it would be because he was the best suitor for this film.

Now we can't forget the CGI which is actually very minimal and not overdone, although not same as the original which is completely understandable considering a lot of progress has been made in graphics department since 80's. And we all should be thankful that another movie did not attempt to jazz up its movie with the infamous "CGI" concept. Not every movie needs it, considering 20 years ago we barely knew it existed it all.

All in all, this is what you call a sci-fi action movie with intelligent characters...is it possible that maybe Hollywood got it right with this one for a change!! Maybe adding the finesse of  Adrien Brody, along with a great supporting cast helped give the film a boost. The one thing Brody does is give you the unexpected cause every time you thought something stupid to happen his character does the opposite. He does what you'd expect someone in his situation to do.

 

Now you know I can't leave you without a few minor gripes (lol). My main issue was the beginning and end (you will have to see it to understand), nothing to major just wish there was a little more clarity. It leaves the mind to wonder...what next...and maybe that is the director's intention. I just wish there was just a little bit more. In addition to craving a little more, there are the questions of realistic events happening and how they happened, but once again you will have to see the movie to better understand what I mean.

Now the film is not better than the original 1987 film but it does a pretty good job of attempting to stand by itself as a great sequel. Predators is a flick that exemplifies how a good movie can be made on a small budget, and good solid cast. Quiet as kept a good movie does not require big budget for it to please audiences, it simply needs a clear a vision and a pleasurable viewing experience can be had.

Predators doesn't change the game too much but for the most part it delivers a solid experience to its fan-base. One thing for sure that it does is to set it apart from the shackles of the horrible crossovers and re-establishes the "Predator" as one of Hollywood's most fertile sources of sci-fi villains. 

Grade: 2 1/2 stars out of 4