Machete - the 2010 film you aren't expecting

So I have been a bit busy covering the Health Care Reform debate over at my political blog (VASS). But now its time to get back to more simple and pleasant things.

Though I’m not sure that Machete is simple, or pleasant. This is a film that you will likely be hearing a lot about as 2010 approaches. And there will be no lack of coverage by critics big and small. (and if you are wondering, the film has nothing to do with the character from the Spy Kid’s films.)

The reason is that the film is directed by Robert Rodriguez. The cast for this action film will include: Lindesy Lohan, Jessica Alba, Don Johnson, Steven Segal, Cheech Marin, Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez (no relation), and Robert DeNiro (in roughly order of their acting ability). Talk about a wild mix.

The star of this film is also quite different from what most Americans would expect. It’s Trejo as a former Mexican Federales. The bad guy is pretty much everyone, but basically DeNiro as a corrupt elected official (as if there are non-corrupt ones). Everyone else is in and out of the film adding their own flair and crashes, bashes and explosions to the story.

The big question is if this can work. Can a film starring a Mexican, with an American bad guy, hold up? The fact that there will be some martial arts fighting, a couple of young starlets likely in tight nothing, and lots of gunfights will not hurt a bit.

I say that the film will work. Director Rodriguez has more than proven that films starring, and entirely comprised of Hispanic/Latino characters (other than the bad guys) can be huge hits. He has also proven his ability to do a decent film with a good helping of explosions and adult fare (think Sin City). The only place I would worry about this film would be the writing.

Simply put, if you see this film hit in January 2010, it will likely be a horrible flop. If it comes out in April, which I think it will, then that means it all came together great. A mid-summer release means they really nailed it.

Personally I hope it is a good film. Danny Trejo has put in his dues over the decades and having a leading role that works would be a nice feather in his cap. And if you are wondering who he is, well you have seen him. He was the original driver with DeNiro in Heat, he was the uncle in all 3 Spy Kid’s movies, he is Enrique on King of the Hill, he is a bartender on the Young and the Restless.

He has been in 69 movies and television show over the past 25 years. Many actors never even get to do that many films in a lifetime. Not to bad for a former drug addict, ex-con, and prison welterweight boxing champ. Like I said, he has paid his dues, worked hard, and earned the shot at a leading role. So I want to see him do well in this chance.