The Expendables

Synopsis: A team of mercenaries head to South America to overthrow a dictator.

Release Date: August 13, 2010     MPAA Rating: PG-13

Genre(s): Action,

Film Review

There is nothing like the sweet smell of testosterone in a movie theatre. With this cast it is inescapable and hard to not love. Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) leads an elite group of men who are good at one thing – killing people. Maybe not just killing but given the smiles on their faces when they get to blow something up or start shooting it is clear they love what they do. Their current assignment turns into something bigger, as it tests their honer and loyalty. They must overthrow an ex-CIA agent and the Dictator of a small island who are involved in drug running while saving a woman. Spending just enough time building the relationship between the men and developing an amount of chemistry that is fantastic the movie also supplies action at every turn. Definitely prepare your ears as they will be tested. This movie is VERY loud. It rumbles and shakes the seats. Makes you jump a little, and will definitely make you want to cheer quite a bit. These men may be on the older end of the scale but they can still deliver the action just as in their heydays. Now it just involves more comedy as they poke fun at their ages and everything that comes along with that. With their age has also come more sensitivity, depth, and relationship advice. As Mickey Rourke’s Tool comments about wanting to die in the arms of a woman and not in battle, you realize these men have grown out of their machismo fueled desires to prove something. They have feelings just like anyone else, regardless of their tough exteriors, multiple tattoos, and skill with combat weaponry. The Expendables manages to move past the stark plane of action films to give balance to the characters involved while also kicking some serious ass. Well done, Director Sylvester Stallone.

The island of Vilena has beautiful landscapes and poverty stricken interiors. The palace, the place of the final confrontation of the film, is terribly fake looking. It appears more like a backlot set constructed primarily to be blown up than to actually look like a remote wealthy palace of a great dictator. The exterior shots only hurt the idea of it being secure and impenetrable. It does not detract from the action and what a good time it is to see the place get blown to bits and shred by gunfire, but it does question the amount of money and time that went into the creation. Moviegoers like realness, this staging does not look real or up to scale as the rest of the film.

Dolph Lundgren, as Gunner Jensen, and Terry Crews, as Hale Caesar, have the most amazing guns ever! One shot and a head comes flying off. Multiple rounds pulse thru the air causing destruction at every turn. Gunner and Terry love their weapons, and we love the action they provide. Statham’s Christmas is just as great whether doing hand-to-hand combat or throwing knives from across the room. Stallone still packs a punch and Jet Li makes the best of his smaller size when fighting men twice it. Then there is the explosions where nothing is held back. The movie is full of action from start to finish. It leaves nothing you wish you had seen, and the final battle is heart-pumping excellence.

Cast and Crew

• Director(s): Sylvester StalloneKevin King TempletonJohn Thompson
• Producer(s): David CallahamSylvester Stallone
• Screenwriter(s): Sylvester Stallone (Barney Ross)Jason Statham (Lee Christmas)Jet Li (Ying Yang)
• Story: Dolph Lundgren (Gunner Jensen)
• Cast: Eric Roberts (James Munroe)Randy Couture (Toll Road)Steve Austin (Paine) Giselle Itie (Sandra)Mickey Rourke (Tool)Terry Crews (Hale Caesar)Ken BlackwellPaul HarbJeffrey L. KimballFranco-Giacomo Carbone
• Editor(s):
• Cinematographer: Brian Tyler
• Production Designer(s):
• Costume Designer: 
• Casting Director(s): 
• Music Score: 
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• Country Of Origin: USA