'Machete (2010)' trailer analysis
Machete (2010) takes place in modern-day America and follows the story of a mexican ex-Federale as he is framed by wealthy white american government-influenced men.
Danny Trejo's 'Machete' is presented as a typical mexican (ex-)criminal: he's scary-looking, intimidating and not someone to mess with. Trejo's character fits the dodgy mexican stereotype very well. This somewhat mythic representation of mexicans as being criminals could relate to Roland Barthes' theory on mythic representations of a particular place depending on where they are from and/or their ethnic background. Machete is of mexican decent and so he will be in turn typically associated with criminal activity. Machete is an example of an Archetype- the ultimate stereotype. Robert Rodriguez used this method so that the audience will instantly understand Trejo's character without being provided with too much back-story to his name.
Women are heavily portrayed as powerful figures in 'Machete' but they are also percieved as rather sexual characters also (but not in a particularly negative light). Powerful female figures can be found in the form of Michelle Rodriguez's 'Luz/She' and Jessica Alba's 'Sartana'. 'Machete' is particularly unique in that both men and women are seen as strong characters whereas in most hollywood movies nowadays the main protagonists are usually of the male gender. Men are usually portrayed as strong figures due to their physical strength so it is pretty refreshing to see not one but two powerful female characters in Robert Rodriguez's 'Machete'. However, women are also seen as quite in touch with their sexual side (the trailer shows Trejo's character fondling with two naked females in a luxurious pool). As previously stated though, 'Machete' does not portray women as being particularly free with their sexual desires and does not show them in a bad light (slut, whore connotations etc.).
Relating to the female gender, Robert Rodriguez does use the 'male gaze' very frequently during 'Machete' and even in his other movies. As the target audience of the movie is predominantly males of most ages, he will focus appropriate shots on the female body and their sexualised body parts. For example, the scene that takes place in the pool and particularly the Jessica Alba shower scene later in the movie.
Dyer's theory of how we treat people depending on their power is used frequently during 'Machete'. The trailer shows how Jeff Fahey's character frames 'Machete' of attempted murder due to the mere fact that he is a mexican immigrant. However, what Jeff Fahey's 'Michael Booth' isn't aware of is that he messed with the wrong guy- Machete is in fact a brutal ex-federale. 'Machete' supports Dyer's theory of how we treat people due to Machete's ethnic background, Booth believed that he could get away with framing him as part of a secret government election-influenced plan.
From the trailer of the movie, we can instantly tell that 'Machete' is of the Action genre as it contains a lot of fast fight scenes and bloody imagery. The trailer also shows comedic elements which could further suggest that 'Machete' is not a film to be taken too seriously. Machete does use stereotypes fairly regularly in the forms of the mexican workers and Robert De Niro's corrupt Bush-esque political figure. The character with the most power in the movie, Machete, does not fit the "cruel and arrogant" stereotype- he's only the most powerful due to his experience in combat and does not intend to cause too much trouble in the first place. He's only fighting to keep himself and his companions alive. However, Jeff Fahey's character is the most powerful figure in the movie at one point and he definitely fits the ignorant stereotype.
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