Machete Kills

Machete Kills brings its explosive sequel to life on Blu-ray with a top-notch 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation that seamlessly preserves the intentional grindhouse aesthetic of its predecessor. The image, delivered in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, boasts a near-flawless digital source, courtesy of the Arri Alexa, ensuring the film’s vibrant homage to exploitation cinema is both sharp and striking. Despite a deliberate choice to include artificial grain and minor print damage to enhance its stylistic roots, the transfer displays an extraordinary level of detail. From the rough textures of Danny Trejo's iconic face to the dynamic environments of Mexico and Texas, every scene is rendered with excellent clarity.

Colors are reproduced with exceptional vigor, primarily leaning towards warm and earthy tones that underscore the film's heated thematic and geographical settings. The contrast is effectively managed, achieving high levels without overblown whites, thereby maintaining a solid depth that makes the image leap off the screen. Blacks are deep and true, contributing to the overall sense of immersion with well-defined shadows and no apparent delineation issues. This combination of vivid coloration and balanced contrast enhances both the action-packed sequences and the richer, more saturated moments of cinematographic finesse.

The visual quality extends beyond mere technical prowess; it's a deliberate aesthetic choice that enriches the viewing experience. Special effects, while intentionally over-the-top and occasionally bordering on cheesy, fit seamlessly within the film's visual tapestry, never detracting from the high-definition presentation. The meticulous attention to detail, from edge sharpness to texture definition, alongside a carefully preserved grain structure, ensures that Machete Kills looks as good on Blu-ray as fans could hope, making it a demo-worthy addition to any collection.

The audio presentation of "Machete Kills" on Blu Ray, delivered through a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, is a riveting auditory experience that thoroughly accentuates the film's over-the-top action and unapologetically garish vibe. The soundscape is a constant barrage of riotous noise—from gunfire and explosions to the more gruesome sounds of decapitations and disembowelments—all of which are rendered with crystal-clear clarity. The LFE channel delivers with gusto, offering deep, exaggerated bass that adds significant depth to the on-screen pandemonium. Additionally, sound effects are not only aggressively utilized in the rear channels but are also ingeniously directed, making for pans that are both smooth and effectively immersive. This meticulously crafted chaos achieves a well-managed balance, ensuring that dialogue remains always discernible and appropriately foregrounded amidst the relentless auditory onslaught.

Furthermore, the mix boasts a spaciousness and bombastic quality that is both amusing and fitting for the movie's flamboyant action sequences. Dialogue is presented in a manner that is both clean and full-bodied, ensuring every line, no matter how cheesy or clichéd, is easily audible. The track excels in creating an atmospheric soundscape that envelops the listener, accentuated by a wide spatial representation that splendidly captures the directionality and dispersion of sound effects, making for an engagingly immersive experience. Action scenes benefit from an exceptional handling of sound, with bullets, explosions, and vehicle chases creating an all-encompassing auditory experience that seamlessly envelops the viewer.

The audio track's robust and lively mix perfectly complements "Machete Kills'" cartoonish violence and frenzied pacing. With its vibrant score exhibiting impressive fidelity and separation, alongside potent low frequency effects that lend a satisfying weight to the film's myriad explosions and fights, this presentation stands out as a meticulously engineered piece designed to elevate the film's visceral and visual feast to new auditory heights.

The Blu-ray extras for "Machete Kills" present a rather modest but immersive peek behind the curtains of its over-the-top production. The two main features, "Making Machete Kills" and "Deleted and Extended Scenes," collectively offer a glimpse into the creative process and choices made during the film’s production, albeit with a sense of wanting more depth from the content provided. "Making Machete Kills" benefits from candid discussions, touching on everything from the film's grindhouse aesthetic to the congenial nature of Danny Trejo, supported by behind-the-scenes footage that showcases the camaraderie and challenges faced by cast and crew. However, the featurette tends toward superficial praise rather than deep dive analysis. On the other hand, the "Deleted and Extended Scenes" segment, while touted as a substantial addition, often retraces familiar territory from the final cut, save for a few gems like the intriguing baby clone incarnation of Machete. Despite these shortcomings, fans might still find value in these extras for their high-definition clarity and the opportunity to spend more time in Robert Rodriguez’s uniquely chaotic cinematic universe, presented in 1080p with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Machete Kills: Behind-the-scenes featurette exploring the production with insights from cast and crew, including Robert Rodriguez and Danny Trejo.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Compilation of eight scenes that offer slight variations from the film's released content, highlighted by a novel baby clone Machete sequence.

Machete Kills," the ambitious sequel to Robert Rodriguez's grindhouse homage "Machete," unfortunately stumbles where its predecessor triumphantly slashed. Though still armed with Danny Trejo’s indomitable presence as the titular antihero and a constellation of star appearances, the film suffers from a muddled script by Kyle Ward and a direction that oscillates between trying too hard and not trying enough. The sequel's endeavor to elevate its B-movie aesthetic with an overladen sci-fi bent and a barrage of convoluted story arcs does little to enhance the narrative. Instead, it detracts from the gritty charm and straightforward vendetta-fueled vengeance that characterized the original.

In "Machete Kills," Rodriguez expands his playground, introducing a slew of characters ranging from the psychotically schizophrenic Marcos Mendez (Demian Bichir) to the nefarious Luther Voz (Mel Gibson), each adding layers of eccentricity but ultimately contributing to the film's tonal inconsistency. Despite this, performances by Carlos Estevez, Bichir, and Gibson shine through, with Gibson’s delightfully madcap villain standing out. However, the sequel's flirtation with too many genres—merging action, exploitation, and science fiction—results in a cluttered experience that loses sight of what made "Machete" engaging. Moreover, the overreliance on subpar CGI bloodshed and an array of cameos overshadows practical effects and narrative cohesion, thereby diminishing the sequel’s potential impact.

The action sequences, while abundant, lack the inventiveness and raw energy of its predecessor, feeling repetitive and uninspired despite Trejo’s best efforts to wield Machete with his customary lethality. The humor, intended to bridge the gap between homage and parody, often misses its mark, leaving a void where wit and satire should reign. Even as "Machete Kills" ambitiously aims to pay tribute to various cinematic traditions, its execution falls short, proving that there is indeed a fine line between a captivating B-movie homage and a disjointed cinematic endeavor. Notwithstanding these criticisms, Trejo's relentless machismo and the promise of an even more outlandish sequel leaves a sliver of hope for Rodriguez's beloved blade-wielding badass.

Machete Kills" on Blu-ray delivers a mixed bag in terms of content and presentation, reflective of the movie itself. The sequel, while falling short of the original's novelty and cohesive storyline, still manages to entertain with over-the-top action and its fun ensemble cast led by Danny Trejo. Trejo, embodying the quintessential B-movie hero aura, and his castmates dive headlong into their roles, delivering performances that swing wildly between grindhouse intensity and campy excess. However, the narrative suffers from an evident loss of direction as director Robert Rodriguez seems to prioritize setting up a potential trilogy over concluding the current story effectively. The technical aspects of the Blu-ray, specifically the audiovisual (AV) presentation, are commendable, showcasing a demo-worthy video quality and a robust audio mix that enhances the viewing experience.

Regrettably, the Blu-ray release could have been elevated with more comprehensive supplemental materials. The existing extras include some deleted scenes and a featurette - a modest offering that leaves much to be desired, especially for fans craving deeper insights into the film's production and conceptualization. Commentary tracks or a feature-length documentary would have significantly added value, offering both aficionados and casual viewers a more enriching behind-the-scenes glimpse.

In conclusion, "Machete Kills" on Blu-ray stands as a testament to the polarizing nature of the film itself. It's an essential addition for those enchanted by the charm of modern B-movies and Rodriguez’s distinctive filmmaking style, supported by an excellent AV presentation. However, the lack of comprehensive bonus features and the sequel's inability to fully capture the magic of its predecessor may leave some viewers wanting. Regardless, it warrants at least a rental for fans eager to see Trejo in action or those curious about this unique cinematic endeavor.