So I just watched Machete and it was kind of enjoyable. Aside from almost all of the good parts being shown in the trailer and a weird disjointedness to the action, I feel like this movie was hindered by its politics. There was just too much stopping and ham-fisted dialogue. It got in the way of what should have been a balls-out action movie.
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Too much politics?
Topic started by Romination on April 23, 2011.
Last post by Hailinel 9 months ago.
@Romination said:
" So I just watched Machete and it was kind of enjoyable. Aside from almost all of the good parts being shown in the trailer and a weird disjointedness to the action, I feel like this movie was hindered by its politics. There was just too much stopping and ham-fisted dialogue. It got in the way of what should have been a balls-out action movie. "I sort of agree. I'm not sure if it was the politics or what, but it's attempt at sending a message sure seemed to hamper the pace of the film.
@Toxin066: Yeah, regardless of my thoughts on what the message was, there was a lot of it. Everywhere. I'm cool with corrupt politicians and ties to drug lords and all of that but the movie went out of its way to give so much exposition.
Because a movie where someone swings on a dude's intestines and a man looking like Danny Trejo can get with Jessica Alba is clearly the best place to spread a political message.
There is a tradition in b-movies and grindhouse movies to heighten the politics, so in that regard Machete was in line with its predecessors. Look at the Blaxploitation genre, which takes the stereotype of the hyper-sexual, masculine black man and raises it to an absurd degree, both mocking and calling attention to the stereotype. I believe Rodriguez himself referred to Machete as "Mexsploitation" in interviews, so the overt political references make sense.
@Sam_Peckinpaws: The problem is that Machete kind of stopped everything at points to filibuster its point to the audience and it's a point that's much more complex than the black and white message Rodriguez was putting across. Sometimes, I think his obsession with Mexico makes him whatever their equivalent of a plastic paddy is.
@HandsomeDead said:
" @Sam_Peckinpaws: The problem is that Machete kind of stopped everything at points to filibuster its point to the audience and it's a point that's much more complex than the black and white message Rodriguez was putting across. Sometimes, I think his obsession with Mexico makes him whatever their equivalent of a plastic paddy is. "And that really sucked because I loved the action in it. I didn't even mind the CG blood because what was going on was just too damn crazy for such a thing to hinder it.
I just got around to watching Machete last night, and yeah, the politics are laid on thick. The hilariously one-sided illegal immigration argument isn't surprising given the style of the film, though. When every single character is essentially a caricature if not an outright cartoon, it makes it really hard to take the appended political leanings seriously.
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Machete Trailer
In case you were wondering, Danny Trejo is DEFINITELY the wrong Mexican to fuck with. |
| forum | Too much politics? | Romination |
| review | Stupid, ridiculous but so much fun. (4 out of 5) | MrWright |
| review | This "Machete" could be sharper (3 out of 5) | TravisCowan |
| review | Machete (3 out of 5) | Adrenaline |
| review | The Best CAST EVER! (4 out of 5) | HadesTimes |
| review | Best Film of 2010 (5 out of 5) | Dracula |
| blog | Charlton's Top 17 Favorite Films of 2010 - Whoa! :D | StarFry64 |
| news | 2010: The Year in Movie Quotes | Alex |
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| Name | Machete |
| US Release | Sept. 3, 2010 |
| UK Release | Oct. 8, 2010 |
| AUS Release | |
| Runtime | 105 |
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| Genre(s) | |
| Theme(s) | |
| Rating | R |
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In today's dollars
Domestic $26,593,646 Foreign +17,499,670 - = total worldwide gross $44,093,316
- - a reported budget of $20,000,000
- = a 120.5% net profit of $24,093,316
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