This critic was more than underwhelmed by “Machete,” Robert Rodriguez’s return to the Grindhouse playground.
But the film sure did right by its Blu-ray cover art.
The movie, out on Blu-ray and DVD Jan. 4, features the kind of character collage audiences once saw with regularity. Think “Star Wars” or the “Indiana Jones” sequels.
The minds behind the cover sure had great material to work with – Robert De Niro’s stern mug, the lovely Jessica Alba and Danny Trejo as the machete-wielding hero.
Now, compare that to the cover art for “Barry Munday,” a recent Blu-ray release. To say “apples and oranges” doesn’t quite sum up the chasm between the two, artistically speaking.
Blu-ray cover art typically reflects the movie poster accompanying the film during its theatrical release. But sometimes the home video version offers up a different set of images.
If a film tanks at the box office, new art can re-brand the film in question.
“Machete” will likely turn a profit since co-director Robert Rodriguez is known for making movies under budget. But since the film only generated $26 million in theaters it’s not surprising to see a new image accompany the Blu-ray release.
But, frankly, I’m not sure about the decisions made on some home video releases – like the aforementioned “Barry Munday.” Wasn’t there a better still image from the film that could have been used in place of the actual Blu-ray cover?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Rodreguiz will not be getting anymore of my money.
Between the lies he spread while making the last Predator movie to this horrible excuse for a grind house movie you couldn’t pay me to watch it again. Even the nudity in the movie can’t save the terrible acting, blatent liberalism, and the badly executed action sequences.
Painting a piece of crap with bright colors and adding a bow does not make it more acceptable.
Aleric – I agree with your take on the film’s politics – I expand on that theme here:
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/machete-the-b-movie-as-bloated-illegal-immigration-agitprop/2/
But at WWTW I try to look at the big picture and not let my ideology trump my love of film, warts and all. I saw the cover art for the film and it inspired me to blog about it.
Consumers have every right to ignore future films from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez? Who is this? Someone I should care about? I think not.
@cftoto
Yes sir I read your review and agreed with you on many levels. I was so hoping that the movie would be enjoyable and perhaps that would override the other political issues but the final product killed that hope.