Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Death Machines Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 17, 2016

There are many odd details and turns to 1976’s “Death Machines,” but the fact that it was marketed as a futuristic thriller is perhaps the most bizarre aspect of the feature. It’s simply not one, arriving as a thoroughly 1970s-styled martial arts demonstration with unstoppable killer motivation. Director Paul Kyriazi has a vision for his picture, which is a nice change of pace from the fight film norm, giving “Death Machines” some real teeth for 1976, managing an orgy of violence that includes bar brawls, bazooka attacks, and mass murder, sold with a certain style of stunt-heavy gusto that makes the effort enjoyable, even when it doesn’t exactly make sense. Kyriazi is out to give audiences a joy ride of nonsense, and he accomplishes his goal, delivering screen aggression that keeps on coming, while the cast is filled with all types of bruisers and cowards, making conflicts highly amusing.

Madame Lee (Mari Honjo) works for a secret organization securing plans to create ultimate soldiers of evil, juicing up test subjects with an experimental drug that transforms them into unstoppable killing machines. With White Death Machine (Ronald L. Marchini), Asian Death Machine (Michael Chong), and Black Death Machine (Joshua Johnson), Madame Lee has a trio of brutal goons ready to take down rivals. During one attack on a karate school, student Frank (John Lowe) is caught in the chaos, with the Death Machines taking his right hand, leaving him with nothing to live for as he recovers from his severe injury. Depressed, Frank tries to return to everyday life, but his need for revenge pushes him to investigate the Death Machines, joining Lt. Forrester (Ron Ackerman) and Jerry (Edward Blair), a pair of cops also trying to figure out what Madame Lee is up to. Just who Madame Lee works for is never clarified in “Death Machines,” but she’s dedicated to the cause. The film introduces the titular trio right away, showcasing their trial period, with the three men taking on feeble opponents, getting a feel for their super-strength and heightened martial arts abilities. It’s actually generous of Kyriazi to do away with overt mystery, establishing the power of the Death Machines right away, getting the picture off to a quick start, which includes dealings with Mr. Gioretti (Chuck Katzakian), a crime lord who finds his assassination plans thwarted by Madame Lee, who seeks control of the local contract killing industry. We watch the Death Machines in action, making mincemeat out of professionals, with one hired gun taken out with a bazooka. Just because I guess. Why bore oneself with a gun when an enormous explosive device will achieve the same results, only with more splatter? The Death Machines sure do love their job. “Death Machines” is a martial arts film, and choreography is surprisingly tight for 1976, watching mild fights increase in intensity, with violence spilling over during the karate school battle royal, which involves a mass of bodies punching, kicking, and swinging swords at one another. Surely such an exhibition of jumping and sliced bodies would be enough for another movie, but Kyriazi doesn’t stop there. The Death Machines also have to deal with small town bikers in a restaurant, making the choice between heroes and villains difficult to spot. And Frank endures his own difficulties at a topless bar, caught up in brutality and property destruction when the town drunk doesn’t take kindly to a jukebox stealing his dime. Suddenly, billiard balls are weaponized and glass is shattered, adding to the overall intensity of “Death Machines,” which has a real affinity for scenes that explode with specifically provoked aggression. Perhaps Kyriazi doesn’t have a finest sense of dramatic entanglement, but the hits keep on coming in the picture, which wisely downplays overall storytelling to highlight physical trials and attack sequences.

Death Machines Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as "Scanned and restored in 4k from 35mm Techniscope camera negative," the AVC encoded (2.38:1 aspect ratio) "Death Machines" viewing experience delivers a level of brightness and sharpness that helps to appreciate the madness Kyriazi is trying to summon. Detail is excellent throughout, securing examination of set decoration, stunt work, and individual performances, with close-ups especially vivid. Costuming also showcases encouraging textures, delivering the period mood. Colors are alert and secure, offering sharp primaries and trendy hues on outfits, while greenery is ideal. Skintones are natural. Grain isn't pronounced, but filmic qualities remain. Delineation is largely inviting. Source is clean, without major points of damage.

Death Machines Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is handed quite a workload, with layers of drama and music competing for attention. It's a harsh listen at times, with sharp highs as action emerges, while scoring efforts are intentionally strong. Music keeps its shape and direction, but synth stings can be very aggressive at times. Dialogue exchanges aren't threatened, maintaining expositional needs and emotional escalation. Sound effects are juiced up but add some proper thwacks and thumps. Atmospherics are limited. A mild amount of hiss is detected.

Death Machines Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Intro (:54, HD) is hosted by director Paul Kyriazi, who walks around a Japanese garden, remembering how the 1974 Robert Mitchum film "The Yakuza" inspired a retooling of "Death Machines" action mere weeks before production began.

• Commentary features Kyriazi.

• Interview (10:21, HD) with Michael Chong (aka The Asian Death Machine) is an illuminating discussion of casting concerns with the actor, who was looking to make his big break with "Death Machines," but hurt himself right before principal photography began. Chong talks about his bum knee and the feature's lack of stunt men, requiring him to be careful and still look cool. Chong also mentions the movie's positive role in his career, allowing him to move on to bigger and better opportunities, especially as an Asian man in Hollywood.

• Interview with Joshua Johnson (aka The Black Death Machine) is an audio-only conversation that traces his early career, interest in martial arts, and casting in "Death Machines."

• "Trims/Outtakes" (3:19, HD) are silent bits of stunt choreography and acting from the cast, who work to sell the heat of the moment.

• A Teaser Trailer (1:05, HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (2:06, HD) are included.

Death Machines Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's difficult to penalize "Death Machines" for lukewarm performances, as most of the actors are trying their best to make absurdity feel authentic, while the script endeavors to take Frank's journey of limb loss as seriously as possible, giving him an arc of revenge that leads to a showdown finale. But the real stars of the show are the Death Machines, who put in an impressive effort to come across as early Terminators, absorbing body blows and bullets as they march into the danger zone. It can be a silly picture, but it's never a dull one, almost constantly delivering some form of mayhem to keep the feature trucking along, reaching a conclusion that keeps options open for a sequel that sadly never arrived. Kyriazi certainly deserved a second shot with the Death Machines and their limited tolerance for those trying to kill without their permission.