Review of Machete Kills (2013) by Reel And U — 16 Oct 2013

Her Review:

Ex-Federale agent Machete (Danny Trejo), the man who can not die, is recruited by the President of the United States (Charlie Sheen as Carlos Estevez) to investigate or eliminate madman/revolutionary Mendez who claims to have a missile pointed at Washington D.C. A seemingly simple mission that will mean a clean slate for Machete turns into an adventure that only a madman would undertake. Machete is that man. Machete must face eccentric billionaire and arms dealer Vox (Mel Gibson) whose knowledge of the future has led him to concoct a plan that will be the destruction of the planet. Can Machete stop him? Or will Vox succeed in having the world destroy itself while he retreats to his space station in the stars? Also starring Amber Heard, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Lady Gaga, Antonio Banderas, Walton Goggins, Cuba Gooding Jr., Vanessa Hudgens, Alexa Vega, Marko Zaror, Tom Savini, William Sadler, Samuel Davis.

Machete Kills is a screwball action flick that is akin to movies like Spaceballs, Robinhood Men in Tights or Austin Powers, that has eye popping action and crazy drama to make your head swim. The thing you have to understand about Machete Kills is that it isn't trying to be serious. The whole movie is like one big inside joke for fans of other movies, thus the comparison to Spaceballs. The actions is way over the top and the plot is ridiculous. While neither of these things are bad individually, combined they don't equal a whole lot of fun except for the occasional scene or two. I think the idea was that worse = better but they seemed to have gotten something in the equation wrong because the scale is tipped to the worse side by the end. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the oddball films like what this one is trying to be. Machete Kills just doesn't achieve its ultimately goal. That said there were a few "ha ha" moments and the retro feel of everything, especially the teaser trailer for another Machete film, was appealing to me. The highlight was La Chameleón and the various actors who played the part. Definitely an interesting way to go and a character I would have loved to have seen some more from in the movie.

Honestly, here is the deal. If you take Machete Kills seriously then you will be sorely disappointed. If you take it as a strange action film that doesn't take its own self seriously you will find it much more enjoyable although still not one to write home about. Now Machete Kills Again ... in Space might be another story. We will have to wait and see though.

6/10 Stars - Lots of highs and lows but plenty of mind numbingly crazy action to enjoy.