Machete Kills is a sequel to 2010’s Machete, a film directly inspired by the fake Grindhouse trailers that were presented in the Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez double feature from 2007. If you’re not familiar with Robert Rodriguez or only his Spy Kids films, then you should do a little research. If you’re familiar with the Grindhouse project then you know what you’re in for. Lots of violence, some sexual instances, some graphic violence, a decent tribute to 70s films, and more violence. Then more violence.
The plot? Danny Trejo is Machete, an ex-federale who is after bad guys his own way. This time there’s revenge for the murder of somebody close to him. Then there’s a maniacal Mexican ex-drug cartel guy with a bomb pointed at Washington D.C. and then a bounty. This is a film not to tell a great story but to have fun. This is evident not only in the ridiculous plot but with the actors and their portrayals. Sophia Vergara, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mel Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Amber Heard, and of course Antonia Banderas. Even Lady Gaga, William Sadler, Vanessa Hudgens, and Carlos (Charlie Sheen) Estevez show up.
About halfway thorough the film takes an even more ridiculous turn, and the ending is just ludicrous. I mean, it sets up the sequel that we see in the fake trailer before the film. Oh look, if you’re searching for serious cinematic discourse go watch the Our Gang shorts. This is pure visceral fun and meant to be taken as such. Kind of offensive? Probably. Machete Kills is simply a fun film that doesn’t take itself seriously.
A couple of deleted scenes and a making of featurette are the only special features. I was actually expecting an audio commentary. Oh well.