Machete

I have witnessed the progression of special effects, as we have moved from film techniques such as scale models) into the digital age (computer generated imagery). Early in the development of CGI I was willing to forgive filmmakers for taking risks. "The Abyss" for example really did something that sparked my imagination. Along with effects came new techniques (such as Bullet-time in "The Matrix"). The first time seeing a new technique, regardless of context it seems pretty amazing. "The Abyss" came out 21 years ago, and by now CGI has become commonplace, and I personally expect these effects to be perfect by now. That being said I have a few exceptions to this expectation, and Robert Rodriguez defines the first: No matter how many movies Rodriguez has made, he has maintained a very home-made feel to his movies. What worked in "El Mariachi" (and more so in "Desperado") has carried through all his films, which now includes "Machete". Action is cartoonish (graphic and violent, but nevertheless cartoonish). Dialogue is direct, efficient and funny. The acting, storylines and music all match the feel that Rodriguez has established, which produces a grown-up Coyote and Roadrunner cartoon. I am sometimes surprised that I like this kind of movie, when I think about it as separate parts, or try to explain it later, I realize that it really was a shallow, visceral movie experience. Yet Rodriguez is so energetic in his delivery that this mess of a movie somehow works for me. I think of it this way; if they had a 24 hour a day Coyote and Roadrunner channel, that would get old real quick, but small, inventive doses can be extremely entertaining. The reason Rodriguez is an exception to my special effect rule is that in writing, directing, shooting and editing the films all himself, his movies truly leave the impression that you're somehow tapped into his imagination. The shotgun basts that take off a limb and send the recipient hurtling back into a wall, aren't meant to be real, rather a fantastic representation. I know that Rodriguez (like Tarantino) has a great deal of appreciation for exploitation films of the 60s and 70s. Even though "Machete" is a tribute to those movies, I think that I can enjoy Rodriguez's vision without sharing his opinion on what defines a great film.

I think that I should take time to mention once again that movies like "Machete" aren't for everyone. Maybe they aren't for anyone.