Director: Sylvester StalloneCast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Terry Crews with cameos by Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Genre: Action
Rating: Adult
Comment: "The most powerful drug for an action junkie to date..."
From the day Stallone retired his Rocky character and announced his next non-Rambo project, I wonder what was left in the tank that he wanted to let out. I didn't exactly have high hopes for it back then, for Stallone had been walking on thin ice for years prior to Rocky Balboa [2006] and it was a wonder how he did not fall into the Straight-to-DVD realm like so many of his contemporaries.
One look at the promotional poster, however, erased whatever doubts I had. Starring action movie juggernauts like Sylvester Stallone himself, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis and the Arnold Schwarzenegger, it was more than enough to make action fans everywhere squeal like a bimbo. Granted, the latter two were just cameo roles, but it was more than enough (for now) to lend the movie the kind of credibility action films had been lacking since the mid 90's.
The trio that was once known as the Holy Trinity of Action Flicks, met on-screen for the first time in movie history...
More importantly, they let the world know that this is a straight-forward, old-school action, to hell-and-back thrill ride.
Oh... Hell YEAHHH!!!
Topping off the awesomeness already full to the brim is the inclusion of newer, credible action stars in their own right. These include Jason Statham of The Transporter fame, Martial Arts Mega-star Jet Li, Greco-Roman wrestler Randy Couture and former Pro-wrestler Steve Austin.
Now that you have the list of the most jaw-dropping cast ever seen in decades, there is also the need to put them in an equally jaw-dropping movie. Fortunately The Expendables does not disappoint.
The action sequences are intense; a notable example being when Stallone and Statham's characters' had to flee the island after a reconnaissance goes awry, but not before taking down an enemy's assault team and turning the dock into smithereens. The rest of the action scenes takes place throughout the movie, and they are nothing short of amazing.
While some might argue that the plot is a little too simplistic, let me tell you that you are missing the point. The movie is a throwback to action movies of the 80's when it was all about total badassery. Even so, The Expendables features a story that is rather intricate and more realistic in comparison. If anything, I daresay that it is a great update to the genre and could possibly shape action movies to come.
Points Calculation
The Good [+100]
[I'm going to need a new calculator]
One look at the promotional poster, however, erased whatever doubts I had. Starring action movie juggernauts like Sylvester Stallone himself, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis and the Arnold Schwarzenegger, it was more than enough to make action fans everywhere squeal like a bimbo. Granted, the latter two were just cameo roles, but it was more than enough (for now) to lend the movie the kind of credibility action films had been lacking since the mid 90's.
The trio that was once known as the Holy Trinity of Action Flicks, met on-screen for the first time in movie history...More importantly, they let the world know that this is a straight-forward, old-school action, to hell-and-back thrill ride.
Oh... Hell YEAHHH!!!Now that you have the list of the most jaw-dropping cast ever seen in decades, there is also the need to put them in an equally jaw-dropping movie. Fortunately The Expendables does not disappoint.
The action sequences are intense; a notable example being when Stallone and Statham's characters' had to flee the island after a reconnaissance goes awry, but not before taking down an enemy's assault team and turning the dock into smithereens. The rest of the action scenes takes place throughout the movie, and they are nothing short of amazing.
While some might argue that the plot is a little too simplistic, let me tell you that you are missing the point. The movie is a throwback to action movies of the 80's when it was all about total badassery. Even so, The Expendables features a story that is rather intricate and more realistic in comparison. If anything, I daresay that it is a great update to the genre and could possibly shape action movies to come.
Points Calculation
The Good [+100]
[I'm going to need a new calculator]
