'Machete' began life as a fake trailer attached to the film 'Grindhouse'; a project spearheaded by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. The trailer starred Danny Trejo as a pissed-off Mexican mercenary. Eventually Rodriguez took it upon himself to expand upon the trailer and bring 'Machete' to the big screen. The result was a mildly entertaining action film that tried hard to be fun but failed miserably.
You'd think Rodriguez and Trejo would leave 'Machete' well enough alone. Unfortunately they stuck a teaser for a sequel on the film's ass end. And because they are men of their word, we're treated to a sequel that comes close the being the movie 'Machete' tried to be.
'Machete Kills' is over the top, simplistic, awful, violent, misogynistic and fueled by testosterone. Danny Trejo is still the worst leading man I haver ever layed eyes on. He has no character or charisma, all he has is a face. And it's not even a pretty one. Really, there are burn victims with prettier faces than Danny Trejo.
I didn't expect 'Machete Kills' to be good. But it's a testament to awful filmmaking that Trejo has zero impact his own story. His character only rarely makes a choice that influences the direction of the story. Most of the time he's just along for the ride, surrounded by people who are a lot more interesting than him. Both of these films prove that it's hard to make good bad movie.
Because that's what they were trying to do, make a good bad movie. It's terribly tricky thing to do, because if you do it the wrong way you end up with a bad bad movie. That's what happened to 'Machete'. Luckily this sequel has a few aces up it's sleave. Those aces are Demian Bichir, Antonia Banderas, William Sadler, Cuba Gooding Jr., Carlos Estevez and Mel Gibson.
I don't know how many family members Rodriguez had to kidnap in order get these actors in this movie but it's worth the effort. They're all visibly enjoying themselves. The one who sticks out, however, is Mel Gibson. He is great as the film's big bad.* You could write a whole book (okay, maybe five pages) about this guy's ode to James Bond villains. But even the shiniest of stars can't hide the awful turd that is 'Machete Kills'. Still, I hope against hope that 'Machete Kills Again... In Space' will be the masterpiece we deserve.
*It's going to be hard for Leonardo DiCaprio to top Mel Gibson in the next movie.
You'd think Rodriguez and Trejo would leave 'Machete' well enough alone. Unfortunately they stuck a teaser for a sequel on the film's ass end. And because they are men of their word, we're treated to a sequel that comes close the being the movie 'Machete' tried to be.
'Machete Kills' is over the top, simplistic, awful, violent, misogynistic and fueled by testosterone. Danny Trejo is still the worst leading man I haver ever layed eyes on. He has no character or charisma, all he has is a face. And it's not even a pretty one. Really, there are burn victims with prettier faces than Danny Trejo.
I didn't expect 'Machete Kills' to be good. But it's a testament to awful filmmaking that Trejo has zero impact his own story. His character only rarely makes a choice that influences the direction of the story. Most of the time he's just along for the ride, surrounded by people who are a lot more interesting than him. Both of these films prove that it's hard to make good bad movie.
Because that's what they were trying to do, make a good bad movie. It's terribly tricky thing to do, because if you do it the wrong way you end up with a bad bad movie. That's what happened to 'Machete'. Luckily this sequel has a few aces up it's sleave. Those aces are Demian Bichir, Antonia Banderas, William Sadler, Cuba Gooding Jr., Carlos Estevez and Mel Gibson.
I don't know how many family members Rodriguez had to kidnap in order get these actors in this movie but it's worth the effort. They're all visibly enjoying themselves. The one who sticks out, however, is Mel Gibson. He is great as the film's big bad.* You could write a whole book (okay, maybe five pages) about this guy's ode to James Bond villains. But even the shiniest of stars can't hide the awful turd that is 'Machete Kills'. Still, I hope against hope that 'Machete Kills Again... In Space' will be the masterpiece we deserve.
*It's going to be hard for Leonardo DiCaprio to top Mel Gibson in the next movie.
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