When political rhetoric does not work out (as it so often does), often the only tool we’ve got remaining with which to attack is satire. Even immigration is one thing that can’t stay away from the cut of razor-sharp satire. ”Machete” got some movie reviews that show the Robert Rodriguez “Mexploitation” gore fest showing that although satire isn’t that great, it certainly did a lot with immigration. “Machete” splatters the audience with its ideas, tongue planted firmly in cheek from the first hack to the final slash.
Reviews for “Machete” say film very close to edge
The line Rodriguez walks with “Machete” has everything to do with the film’s use of satire. In 2007, “Grindhouse” was meant to be a send-up of 1970s midnight film genres, just as “Machete” is. It is about a Mexican federale (Danny Trejo) that wants to get revenge on some people. Machete loses his family to agents of the drug lord Torrez (Steven Seagal), who by choice of actor is himself a form of self-parody. Machete’s trail of bloody revenge is littered with bigoted authorities, opportunistic politicians (Robert De Niro takes a turn as one) and a drug mule network akin to any similar vein of U.S.-Mexico drug trade that exists today. There also are Cheech Marin, Lindsay Lohan, Michelle Rodriguez, Don Johnson and Jessica Alba there too. The Denver Post points out other things. There are really good parts to the satire in “Machete”. The jokes are interesting. Some are “too cool for school” more than ! anything else. Rodriguez may have to get on top of his game. Some sequels are coming.
Screenrant thinks satire on immigration is wrong
A key scene in “Machete” that depicts an illegal border crossing may be counted as too far over the top, suggests Screenrant. Don Johnson and Robert De Niro play uniformed vigilantes that stop a man and his pregnant wife as they tried to cross. De Niro plays a cruel U.S. Senator. He actually shoots the pregnant woman before saying the man, “Welcome to America,” and then shoots before shooting him. Rodriguez was just having some fun with the obvious satire, although some weren’t so excited.
Bloody fun involved
”Machete” is more about the blood involved than anything else really. Focus too much on the connecting segments and you’ll be bored, says Screenrant. Entertainment Weekly says that it is just schlock without the blood and entrails that make the film work.
Further reading
Denver Post
denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_15966734
Entertainment Weekly
ew.com/ew/article/,,20417721,00.html
Screenrant
screenrant.com/machete-movie-reviews-vic-76754/
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