Oh man is this the action movie of the year and maybe of the decade. The Expendables is a mix of violence, explosions, and blood all brought to you by action heroes from the past and present along with superstars from the UFC and WWE. All these guys are rough, tough, big, and can kick some ass. All of the credit has to go to director/star Sylvester Stallone.
Now, this movie’s attraction is the action. This is a man’s movie and gives you exactly what you ask and hope for. But, there has to be some time left for a story. It is not much of one but it tries. This group of mercenaries called The Expendables go on search and rescue missions all over the world. They are given their toughest mission yet: go to South America and overthrow a dictator. But there is more to it once they get there. There is a person behind this dictator who is calling the shots and a woman who wants her people to be free but has a connection with the men The Expendables must take out.
Stallone plays the leader of the group and he is pretty quick with a gun. Jason Statham is Stallone’s best bud who is quick with a blade. Jet Li is small, but quick. Though, they mostly just hurl height jokes at him. Terry Crews and Randy Couture are barely in the movie and are mainly just used at the end when all hell breaks loose.
Eric Roberts plays the main bad guy who is controlling the dictator and his decisions. Roberts plays his part up and really gets into being the villain. His bodyguard is played by Steve Austin who acts just like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Dolph Lundgren plays The Expendable member gone bad. He has a drug problem, grows bored by what they are doing, and spins out of control. His part was better than I thought it was going to be.
Lastly, Mickey Rourke‘s character is an ex-Expendable who now sets up the missions and uses his tattoo place as their headquarters. It is never said, but Rourke seems to have been the leader of The Expendables before Stallone took over. Rourke has the best scene in the movie that doesn’t include any type of action sequences whatsoever. It’s a little speech about what war can do to a man and his soul.
The Expendables knows its audience and how to make them happy. It’s nice to see all of these guys on the big screen again, and all of them being together in one movie is pretty cool. The pace is set right and there are plenty of action sequences throughout to get any action fan’s blood pumping. Stallone and his buddies have made a movie that excites, entertains, and never disappoints.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association and the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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