Fantastic Fest 2013 Review: Machete Kills (2013)

Cast: Danny Trejo, Alexa Vega, Mel Gibson
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Country: USA | Russia
Genre: Action | Crime | Thriller
Official Trailer: Here

Editor’s Notes: The following review is part of our coverage of Fantastic Fest 2013. For more information on the festival visit http://fantasticfest.com and follow Fantastic Fest on Twitter at @fantasticfest.

Robert Rodriguez is a filmmaker who loves everything cinema has to offer. With his latest film Rodriguez pays homage to various genres that inspired him along the way. The first Machete film suffered because it was handcuffed to a fake trailer created for the Rodriguez/Tarantino Grindhouse double feature, Planet Terror/Deathproof. The film also suffered due to the painful presence of Jessica Alba. Machete Kills starts off with a clean slate and a brief role for Jessica Alba.

The action scenes are the meat and potatoes of this film. There’s a little bit of everything offered in Machete Kills: martial arts, gunplay, swordplay, explosions and a heck of a chase sequence. The action is fast paced, well choreographed and hilarious.

The film starts with Machete (Danny Trejo) and his team interrupting an arms deal. Rodriguez wastes no time offering buckets of blood and a slew of bad guys for Machete to kill using some badass methods. Machine guns are fired, limbs are hacked off and dozens of bad guys meet their maker. The end of the opening sequence sets the table for the audience.

The President (Carlos Estevez aka Charlie Sheen) tasks Machete with saving America. The interaction between the two is hysterical. There is no time wasted. Machete is provided with American citizenship and makes his way to the border to save America.

The action scenes are the meat and potatoes of this film. There’s a little bit of everything offered in Machete Kills: martial arts, gunplay, swordplay, explosions and a heck of a chase sequence. The action is fast paced, well choreographed and hilarious. To list the inspired films may serve as a spoiler and to be honest there are far too many to name.

As for homage to previous films, Machete plays like a mash up of James Bond, grindhouse, sci-fi and parody. Machete has a “Q” equivalent in the form of Miss San Antonio (Amber Heard). Machete is provided with gadgets and conjures up some crazy kills on the fly. To name the sci-fi film(s) that receive obvious nods would spoil the film. We’ll save the surprises for you. There is one character in the film that was inspired by the world of The Coen Brothers. The character (who will remain unnamed) gives Rodriguez great flexibility and allows the actor to shine.

Danny Trejo takes an, “If it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it” approach to the role. He still gets the ladies, he kills everyone and he cannot be killed. Trejo is given a lot more toys to play with and the creative funny kills add to the overall fun of the film. Half the joy is witnessing the ways in which he kills the henchmen. There are few straightforward kills in this film.

The supporting cast rallied for Rodriguez, each turning in a fine performance. There was room for Charlie Sheen and Mel Gibson to turn into a circus sideshow. Sheen and Gibson were provided just the right amount of screen-time to show they cared for the film and had a blast making it. Sofia Verga went balls-out for the most over the top performance, a requirement for her role. Amber Heard sizzles the screen as Machete’s love interest/colleague. Alex Vega shreds any semblance of her early role in Spy Kids.

The film suffers due to its blazing quick start. Once the dust settles, the film lulls between the middle and final act. The nods to sci-fi films will either make audiences laugh or turn them off because it’s all been done before. There is no middle ground on the parody bits, either you go all out or not at all. The audience needs a breather between action set pieces, thankfully the action picks up for an explosive finale.

There was room for Charlie Sheen and Mel Gibson to turn into a circus sideshow. Sheen and Gibson were provided just the right amount of screen-time to show they cared for the film and had a blast making it. Sofia Verga went balls-out for the most over the top performance, a requirement for her role.

Overall, Machete Kills is a good bit of fun. There’s a lot of action, creative kills, sexy women and a lot of humor. Fans of the first Machete film will find much to enjoy. Its doubtful Machete Kills will convert non-fans, however it managed to turn this writer into a believer. Machete Kills is one of Rodriguez’ love letters to the films he grew up with and inspired him.

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Adrian Charlie

Staff Film Critic

I'm from Victoria BC and love watching films from all corners of the world. I'm fascinated by interpreting films and connecting with other film lovers. I love sharp, clever dialogue (QT), beautifully shot films (The Thin Red Line) and a filmmaker who trusts the audience to put it all together and leave room for discussion (PTA).

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