Robert Rodriguez is one hell of a businessman. After “Grindhouse” was a commercial failure, the pitch to make a spin-off Mexploitation film that was grittier, dirtier and not as much of a spoof as his previous work “Planet Terror” could not have been an easy task to tackle. Thankfully, Rodriguez was successful as “Machete” made its way to the big screen, and is as loud, exciting and fun as Rodriguez’ “fake” trailer had promised.

In a summer movie season that was essentially a creative failure, it was a relief to sit down in the theater in the hands of an action director who clearly knows what he’s doing. While Rodriguez may not be a name to make bank in the eyes of Hollywood (beyond his successful children’s series, “Spy Kids”) he is a popular cult-director, with fan-favorites such as “Sin City” and “Desperado.” “Machete” is no exception to his successful track record with action films, and is most likely to garner the same status as his previous works. While underground cinema seems to have found a new fascination with over-the-top exploitation cinema, such as “The Room” and “Black Dynamite,” “Machete” is a bit subtler. While still humorous and self-aware throughout the entire film, “Machete” also leaves room to be enjoyed without being laughed at. The action scenes and assorted kills are choreographed and executed perfectly. Rodriguez displays that he has a knack for keeping his audience at the edge of their seats, wrapped up in a single moment.

With that being said, the plot of the film was certainly a weakness. The viewers of “Machete” are either going to enjoy Rodriguez’ stylized homage to exploitation cinema, or a mindless action movie, leaving the need for an intricate and well-developed plot by the wayside. The film is certainly more developed plot-wise than “Planet Terror”, but it’s not necessarily to the viewers benefit. While it provides a substantial means for the action to take place and the characters to develop, there’s a point in the film where the plot becomes unimportant for the viewer and they’re only waiting for the next big kill. Thankfully, Rodriguez is aware of this and never slows the film down.

And the set-ups he provides for the film are as crazy and gleefully silly as his fans would hope them to be. From Machete using someone’s intestines as a rope to swing off of a building, to a threesome involving Lindsay Lohan and her mother, the film is an entertaining exploitation cinema at it’s best. Rodriguez knows what his audience wants, and gives it back to them with more than they could have expected. The biggest successes of the film lie in the fact that, while the film is a mindless action movie, it ensures that individual scenes are unique and fresh, without borrowing too heavily from trends and styles of the modern day action flick.

Another factor of the success of the film relies on absolutely ingenious casting decisions by Rodriguez and company. From cult hits to major stars, the actors genuinely seem to be having a blast filming the movie, and all bring their individual talents to light. Danny Trejo is hilarious as the virtually silent Machete, performing in a role that seems to have been created for him. Steven Seagal, Robert DeNiro, and Michelle Rodriguez also add unique color to the film, but the biggest hit of the cameo goes to Lindsay Lohan. It seems that there’s a bit of self-referential humor in the character, making her on-screen appearance as a bratty internet “star” turned vigilante dressed as a nun one of the highlights of the movie.

The film ends with a promise of two sequels, “Machete Kills” and “Machete Kills Again”. While most likely an empty promise to serve as a good laugh at the conclusion of the film, hopefully Rodriguez continues his obsession with Grindhouse films. It’s proving to be some of the most entertaining popcorn cinema to be making its way to the silver screen.