Machete Kills Review
RYAN: This is writer/director Robert Rodriguez’s sequel to the cult hit Machete and it’s basically more of the same, which is a good thing.
CAROLINE: I didn’t see the first one but remember your reaction to it.
RYAN: These movies really sensationalize women and violence and certain dated action movie themes in a very tongue-in-cheek way. And it’s become a sub-genre called Mexploitation – and that’s courtesy the director, himself. He did a Q&A after the press screening I attended in Chicago. He seemed like a cool guy.
CAROLINE: No doubt of it. He did Sin City, Grindhouse, Once Upon a Time in Mexico…
RYAN: The Spy Kids movies and also From Dusk Till Dawn.
CAROLINE: Oh that’s right. That all paints a picture. So just how gory is this?
RYAN: Well it is bloody and violent and completely gratuitous at times but I guess after the first one, I’m a little desensitized. I remember feeling shocked by the first one – partly because I didn’t realize going in all that it was going to be – so this one didn’t shock me. It’s still crazy and funny and campy and cool though.
CAROLINE: The casting is bananas. Hello, Charlie Sheen.
RYAN: You mean, Carlos Estevez.
CAROLINE: Right, he used his real name for this.
RYAN: He plays the President. It’s a stunt casting at its best.
CAROLINE: What about Mel Gibson?
RYAN: He’s the villain and he’s good. Same with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Lady Gaga. I wish that she had actually played the role though, instead of just appearing as Lady Gaga. She was still working her Gaga image with costume and everything as opposed to actually acting a part.
CAROLINE: That’s interesting, but again, as you said, stunt casting.
RYAN: There’s also Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Alexa Vega, Antonio Banderas, Demian Bichir, Vanessa Hudgens, Amber Heard, Sophia Vergara… get the picture?
CAROLINE: It’s stacked!
RYAN: It’s a fun movie to watch and must be fun to make because it’s so out there. The director mentioned every actor at the top of his list wanted in so they knew they were signing up for a good time.
CAROLINE: What about the star, Danny Trejo?
RYAN: It’s the role of a lifetime for him, right? Machete is larger than life. He’s like James Bond, an invincible superhero. And in his own way, he’s made this role iconic for what it is. I can imagine no one else in the role.
CAROLINE: Still it’s not really my kind of movie.
RYAN: It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure. But there is a smart, art-house quality to this film and I appreciate what Rodriguez is saying with these films and at the end of the day, if you can handle the violence, blood and Mex and sexploitation, it’s truly entertaining.
