Machete Kills

Unabashed and unapologetic, Robert Rodriguez (Sin City) is one of the most identifiable film directors of our time. Since his collaboration with Tarantino and the success of their double feature Grindhouse, the realisation of potential within a “fake-trailer” has gone from strength to strength, resulting in the hatching of a new anti-hero: Machete.

Starring the famed Danny Trejo as Machete himself, this head-rolling sequel is guaranteed to strike the right chord with Rodriguez fans around the world. The supporting cast is impressive with big names such as Mel Gibson, Jessica Alba, Charlie Sheen, Antonio Banderas, Michelle Rodriguez, Cuba Gooding Jr. and even pop music sensation Lady Gaga.

Arresting entertainment right from the start, Machete Kills tells the story of the hardened Mexican whose knife skills are second to none. Employed by the President of America (Charlie Sheen of course), Machete is called upon to hunt down a missile-wielding adversary.  Along the way, he is helped and hindered by a whole host of colourful characters quintessential to Rodriguez’s distinct style. Sofía Vergara as Madame Desdemona leads a host of scantily clad prostitutes who are no amateurs when it comes to machine gun weaponry. Look out for Madame Desdemona’s explosive underwear!

With the characteristic text and graphic accompaniment, the highly quotable script, and Trejo embodying vengeance like no other, this film will slice its way right into the upper realms of its genre.  With extreme violence and gore amid macabre adult humour, Machete Kills is not for the faint-hearted.  Rodriguez consistently pushes boundaries, verging on the politically incorrect, but with the hint of an underlying message his work is not without depth and hidden brilliance.

Several highlights of Machete Kills, alongside Trejo’s faultless performance, come in the form of Michelle Rodriguez as Shé and Lady Gaga in her cameo as La Chameleón – both women are superb.  Futhermore, Rodriguez’s ability to direct a film so current, and yet with such a timeless feel is true pop art.  He truly knows how to make a “bloody” decent film.

Jennifer Atkinson

Machete Kills is released nationwide on 11^th October 2013.

Watch the trailer for Machete Kills here: