do not f--k with the wrong mexican

i recently watched robert roderguiez's 2010, machete, and there are so many things that i loved about it.

first is, danny trejo. i'm sure he was just as surprised as everyone else in the world when he learned he would be playing the lead in a major motion picture. characteristically a supporting actor, trejo has no problem embracing the lead role - simultaneously repulsive, charming and ready to cut your head off if he has to, trejo plays an illegal immigrant and former mexican federale who goes by the name machete. after leaving mexico for the states three years prior, when he was double crossed by his chief in the federale, machete receives an offer to hit a corrupt senator who is trying to have all illegal immigrants deported (or shot and killed). unfortunately (mostly for the people who get in machete's way), things don't go as smoothly as planned.

second is, the right amount of camp. machete is a good example of a film that balances a contentious topic (i.e. immigration policy in the states) with the ability to not take itself seriously. despite having an obvious message on the states' approach to immigration, roderiguez compliments this subject with an absurd and over the top use of fake blood, more beheadings than i can count and lots of poking fun at common hispanic stereotypes. machete can count cheesy, fun AND thoughtful on its list of descriptors.

third is, roderiguez successfully sets out what he meant to do. in an interview, roderiquez states that he wanted to make a hispanic film that would be palatable to a broad audience and people could walk away yearning a little to be like that amazing hispanic hero you just watched save the day on the big screen (he likens this to his experience of wanting to be asian when watching john woo films). like similarly styled films, such as deathproof* or kickass, the audience find themselves routing for the underdog - and not your typical arnold schwarzenegger or matt damon underdogs, they're women, kids or illegal immigrants. it was refreshing to see a mostly hispanic/latino cast, all of who kick serious whoopie cookies.

and lastly, michelle rodriguez and jessica alba (i swear, i never thought i would say that). their acting is terrible (but whose isn't, it's a horror/action film), nonetheless, they both play interesting and smart women. and they're both total ball busters. yea, my favorite kind of character, right?

anyway, i enjoyed this film. i love the horror/exploitation genre so much and it's so great to find one of these films totally hit their mark. if you like this genre or if you just want to see lindsay lohan naked (i know, no one really does) - this movie has it. i believe it's ready for video release on january 4th and there will be an extra violent director's cut available, for those who need things a little bloodier. you should also check out the wikipedia page and read about how this movie came to fruitition; it's had some interesting incarnations that i'm too lazy to write about here.

and now the trailer:

*full disclosure: i have an unhealthy relationship with this film, as in, i love it way too much. if you ask any of my friends about me and deathproof, they would likely laugh and roll their eyes. i spent three solid months (it might be longer) talking about and forcing them all to watch this movie.