Machete Kills

Robert Rodriguez's slicker if less pacey sequel to Machete comes across like a 007 adventure for a generation weaned on 1970s exploitation and winking irony. Here, US President Charlie Sheen (credited under his birth name Carlos Estevez) enlists Machete (stone-faced Danny Trejo) to apprehend a crazed Mexican revolutionary aiming a nuclear bomb at Washington. But it turns out the threat is part of an even bigger plan masterminded by megalomaniac weapons dealer Luther Voz (Mel Gibson). Among the jumble of bloody action, one-note violence and stale Bond antics, there are memorable turns from bullet-firing, bikini-clad Sofia Vergara, scorching double-agent beauty queen Amber Heard and chameleonic hitman Cuba Gooding Jr, who also takes on the appearance of Lady Gaga and Antonio Banderas. The fake 3D psychedelic sex scene and cheesy trailers for Machete Kills Again... in Space will certainly add to the appeal for B-movie geeks, but others should probably avoid.