Cut to the bone

When a film is titled “Machete”, you’d rightly expect slicing and dicing to be part of the menu.
And Machete delivers in spades.
Real-life ex-con Danny Trejo is ex-Mexican federale Machete, who has more skills with the blade than the average kitchen appliance.
I’d like to say Trejo grunts, rather than acts, his way through the film. I’d like to say that, but I’m too scared.
In many ways, it’s your classic revenge flick – and an homage to the grindhouse films of the ’70s.
Trejo, stepping up to a lead role for the first time after a distinguished career of second-string grunting and grimacing, is joined by an all-star cast.
Robert DeNiro, Michelle Rodriguez, Lindsay Lohan, and Jessica Alba join the fun, along with a few other known names.
Trejo’s jailhouse tatts and bad attitude bring an undeniable authenticity to the role, and his skill with the blade makes it a little surprising the film is only rated MA.
The scene in which Trejo bungee jumps using a foe’s intestines probably represents a new benchmark in action cinema.
Violence and sex provide the focus here, as Machete’s pants contain a big machete.
Machete is a guilty pleasure that delivers exactly as advertised.
– Jason Beck