" There comes a time in every life when memories are the best part "

Rating: 6/10 (18 February 2013)

This movie was written for the screen by Richard Wenk and Slyvester Stallone, and directed by Simon West. The initial prowess of this film is Action. However, once into the movie the audience becomes aware that something is horribly missing. Halfway through it, one becomes aware of the missing element, youthful vitality. For the past twenty years or so, most of the primary stars in the film have established a solid reputation as an action Hero. The movie is called " The Expendables " and follows up on the Prequeal of nearly the same name. The story is action figure driven and set in the old Soviet Union territory where a hidden cache of enriched weapons' grade Plotonium has been discovered with a dangerous mercenary (Jean-Claude Van Damme) and his followers set to remove and sell it to the highest bidder. To stop such a sale C.I.A. Operative Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) extorts a group of highly trained though albeit 'older' and more expendable soldiers to stop them. The film is explosively dramatic with one explosive scene after another and the audience gets to see some of their favorite action stars performing again. Actor like Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and even Jean-Claude Van Damme as the heavy all perform well. The movie, it's expansive settings, the shoot-em-up scenes are plausible and the acting is interesting and exciting, although a bit 'tonge and cheek.' Still for all it's apparent drawbacks the 'over the hill gang' gives a good account of itself and produces a good film. Recommended. ****