Machete (2010)

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Machete’s Revenge

The film begins with a bang as we meet Machete Cortez (Danny Trejo), an ex-Federale with a fierce scowl and even fiercer machete skills. After being betrayed during a mission in Mexico by corrupt politician Torrez (Steven Seagal), Machete’s wife is murdered, leaving him broken and out for vengeance.

The Setup: Hired to Assassinate a Senator

Years later, Machete is a day laborer in Texas. He’s approached by a mysterious businessman, Booth (Jeff Fahey), who offers him $150,000 to assassinate anti-immigrant Senator John McLaughlin (Robert De Niro). Machete reluctantly agrees, but during the assassination attempt, he realizes he’s been set up to take the fall for a political stunt designed to boost the senator’s anti-immigrant agenda.

The Fight for Justice

After the botched hit, Machete becomes a fugitive, hunted by both Booth and McLaughlin’s men. Along the way, he teams up with Luz (Michelle Rodriguez), a revolutionary taco-truck operator leading an underground network for immigrants, and Sartana Rivera (Jessica Alba), an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent torn between enforcing the law and doing what’s right.

The plot quickly devolves into a bloody quest for revenge as Machete slices and dices his way through corrupt politicians, assassins, and a Texas militia group led by the maniacal Von Jackson (Don Johnson).

The Epic Showdown: Machete vs. Torrez

In the climactic showdown, Machete confronts Torrez, the drug lord who orchestrated his betrayal. What follows is an absurdly over-the-top fight, complete with swordplay, explosions, and Machete’s iconic move: using anything sharp he can get his hands on to dispatch his enemies.

Movie Ending

The film ends with Machete defeating Torrez in a ridiculously entertaining final battle. Senator McLaughlin is exposed for his corrupt actions and is subsequently killed by the very people he sought to oppress. Machete rides off into the sunset on a motorcycle, leaving the door wide open for a sequel (which we eventually got in Machete Kills).

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

There is no post-credits scene, but the movie teases a follow-up with the message, “Machete will return in Machete Kills.”

Type of Movie

Machete is a grindhouse action film, with heavy influences from exploitation cinema. It mixes comedy, revenge, and social commentary on immigration, all wrapped in a hyper-violent, over-the-top package.

Cast

• Danny Trejo as Machete Cortez
• Michelle Rodriguez as Luz/She
• Jessica Alba as Sartana Rivera
• Robert De Niro as Senator John McLaughlin
• Steven Seagal as Torrez
• Jeff Fahey as Michael Booth
• Don Johnson as Von Jackson
• Cheech Marin as Padre Benito del Toro
• Lindsay Lohan as April Booth

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack was composed by John Debney, with contributions from Chingon, a band led by Robert Rodriguez himself. The music is a mix of Latin influences, hard rock, and classic grindhouse soundtracks, perfectly capturing the pulpy, action-packed feel of the movie.

Filming Locations

Machete was primarily filmed in Austin, Texas, where Rodriguez has his studio. The city’s distinct vibe, along with its desert outskirts, provided the perfect backdrop for a story about the Mexican-American border, immigration, and Texas’ political atmosphere. Texas plays an essential role in the film’s plot and themes.

Awards and Nominations

While Machete didn’t win any major awards, it was nominated at several smaller festivals and awards shows. It received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Horror/Thriller Film and garnered praise for Danny Trejo’s performance.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Danny Trejo’s character Machete was first introduced in Rodriguez’s Spy Kids series, but Machete gave the character a more adult, violent spin.
• Steven Seagal performed many of his own stunts in the film, and Machete marked his first role as a villain in a major feature.
• The original concept for Machete came from the fake trailer in Rodriguez’s and Tarantino’s Grindhouse project.

Inspirations and References

Machete draws inspiration from the grindhouse and exploitation films of the 1970s, which were known for their low budgets, high violence, and often politically charged narratives. The film also takes inspiration from contemporary immigration issues, particularly in Texas and the southwestern United States.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no alternate ending has been officially released, there were several deleted scenes that fleshed out character backstories. For example, extended sequences involving Luz and the immigrant network were cut for pacing reasons.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Machete is not based on a book, but it does exist in a larger universe connected to Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids series, where Machete is depicted as the uncle of the Cortez family. However, the tone and style in Machete are much darker and more adult than the family-friendly Spy Kids franchise.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Machete using a man’s intestines as a rope to swing out of a building.
• The pool scene where Machete seduces multiple women.
• The final battle with Torrez, where machetes, guns, and swords fly.

Iconic Quotes

• Machete: “Machete don’t text.”
• Padre Benito del Toro: “I absolve you of all your sins. Now get the f*** out!”
• Machete: “They f***ed with the wrong Mexican.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Machete’s character is named after his weapon of choice, but in reality, Danny Trejo is known for his real-life skills with bladed weapons, adding authenticity to the character.
• The inclusion of Lindsay Lohan as a drug-addicted party girl mirrored her real-life public struggles at the time, making her role a bit of self-satire.

Trivia

• Danny Trejo was 66 years old when he starred as Machete, making him one of the oldest actors to headline an action movie.
• The film’s budget was $10.5 million, and it grossed over $44 million worldwide.
• Robert De Niro accepted his role in Machete because he enjoyed working with Rodriguez on The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl.
• Steven Seagal’s death scene in Machete was the first time Seagal’s character had ever died in a film.

Why Watch?

Machete is a perfect watch if you’re a fan of gritty, no-holds-barred action, with a touch of dark humor and political satire. It’s an entertaining mix of bloody fight scenes, memorable one-liners, and a charismatic anti-hero in Danny Trejo.

Director’s Other Movies

• Desperado (1995)
• From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
• Spy Kids (2001)
• Sin City (2005)
• Planet Terror (2007)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Death Proof (2007)
• Sin City (2005)
• Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
• Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)