Mayhem Project

Author: Paul Giliberto

If you watched the Grindhouse double feature a few years ago, you might have seen a trailer for a movie called Machete. Now at the time, the trailer was just something thrown together for the Grindhouse DF but sometime between now and then, Robert Rodriguez developed a story that would turn into a movie.

Now if you're looking for a tasteful, artsy movie with an intricate plot and a nice slick presentation, this movie isn't for you. Machete is a throwback to 70's action movies and it isn't afraid to go more over the top than Sylvester Stallone in an arm wrestling match (Over the Top reference anyone?). The movie embraces it's campy tendencies but still delivers a very enjoyable, testosterone filled, gore fest.

And the movie really isn't bad, in fact you will probably be surprised at the number of stars sprinkled throughout the flick: Cheech Marin, Don Johnson, Steven Seagal, Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba, and Lindsay Lohan all play pivotal roles (and just for the record, Lindsay did not harm any babies during the filming of the movie). Robert F'N DeNiro is in this movie as well, that was a nice surprise.

So if you're in the mood for an action packed, bloody good time, this movie might be what you're looking for. I wouldn't say that it is as fun to watch as the Expendables, but it is damn close.

I give this movie ***1/2 stars out of a possible five.