REVIEW: Machete

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Machete, the popular fake trailer from 2007's Grindhouse finally becomes a real movie, but was it worth the wait? Sort of.

As expected, it's an over-the-top thrill ride that can almost be called a comedy. But at times it's taken a bit too far. It's a spoof of old exploitation films and yet there are moments that are sillier than the genre it's poking fun at. For example, there's Lindsay Lohan's character. She plays the daughter of the villain and despite being in only three scenes (a glorified cameo, really) she randomly shows up at the finale seeking revenge in a nun outfit. It would have been an amusing scene if the movie wasn't so packed with other characters seeking their own revenge. That's ultimately what hurts Machete. It's excessive. Director Robert Rodriguez should have been reminded that sometimes less is more. To use another example, there's a scene where Machete breaks into the villains house but must first fight his goofy guards. Later on in the film he does it again. Once was enough. 

Then again, this won't be a problem when the movie is released on DVD and Blu-Ray. You can just skip all the bad scenes and stick to the really good ones that'll remind you of why you got excited for this project in the first place. And, thankfully, there's plenty of fun scenes. That's what saves Machete from being a bad film.