absolutely ridiculous, over-the-top, and outrageous, but undeniably fun

Rating: 8/10 (25 August 2012)

There are many times that I have gone to see an action movie and was really disappointed in how over the top it was. Unnecessary explosions, ridiculous amounts of gunfire, and violence crammed so far down your throat it is impossible to digest it all. You go to see what you think will be a standard action movie complete with a decent story, and instead you get a special effects or action reel that would be better as a montage of action scenes smashed together and put on YouTube.
However, there are other times when you go to see an action movie and you are fully aware what you are getting yourself intoand the film doesn't disappoint in letting you partake in a bloodbath that is only meant for skin deep enjoyment; something we can all use every now and then. The Expendables 2 is a perfect example of a film you go to for mindless action, and gives you everything you asked for.
Not just presenting, but celebrating a cast that includes Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Liam Hemsworth, and Jet Li, The Expendables 2 is a mash up of all these action heroes once again giving us a powerhouse of old stars and ridiculous action.
Let's take the opening scene as the best example. We have Stallone, Statham, Lundgren, Couture, Crews, Li, and Hemsworth on a mission with heavy guns, tanks, bombs, and planes to rescue Schwarzenegger's character, who is being held captive by an enemy that we don't even know. Who are they? Who cares. They are shooting at our heroes, and they are going to pay for it. Dozens of bodies, several huge explosions, and two Terminator references later, our heroes have saved the day and are off to a bar to celebrate.
It makes it almost impossible to write a review for a movie that must be seen to be believed. Reading words on your computer screen will never do justice to watching a 65 year-old Stallone firing heavy artillery machine guns into crowds of enemies and civilians in an airport. You read that right. Sometimes there is no avoiding collateral damage, and when Jean-Claude Van Damme's posse of goons is storming through an airport, there isn't time to clear out civilians from the crossfire. There is only time to stop the goons from winningand you know these over-the hill heroes are up to the task.
To read the full review (IMDb form too short) visit: http://custodianfilmcritic.com/the- expendables-2/