Reload, the Expendables are back

Rating: 9/10 (17 August 2012)

From the moment the experiment in action of The Expendables hit theaters it was heaven. While not everyone had the fun expected it still delivered the one two punch with the action icons fans of the 90's loved. Sadly there were some major ones left out, but has all been taken care with the latest entry into action lore with the Expendables 2. This time around Stallone has stepped out from behind the camera to let Simon West (Con Air) direct this action epic and brought along some of the key players that were missing.
Expendables 2 follows the Expendables as they are sent on a seemingly simple mission, but turns into a search for revenge in hostile territory against a heartless adversary and five tons of weapons-grade plutonium. If you enjoyed the first film you will love this one. If you didn't love the first film you will love this one. Like the previous film this is a testosterone filled gun blazing bloodbath filled with action icons of old doing what we love to see them do. The big difference here as this one just seems like a better overall film. The first film, while fun to watch did seem to be missing a real villain, but here the star player is Van Damme's turn as the cocky adversary they are dealing with. He will quickly remind you why we all loved him so much, while delivering a new type of performance like never before. He has truly grown into something more than just a parody of himself that he seemed to be becoming. The rest of the cast do a great job with the stereotypical one-liners and deliver the action like only they can. This time around besides our key players from the first film, Schwarzenegger, Willis, and Norris get to join in on the fun making this seem almost like a dream. Anyone from the 90's has dreamt of seeing these guys together, but once you see it actually happening it will turn you into a kid again. Everyone has their part to play and do it well, but as with any film with a cast this size; there are some that will get lost in the mix. Here most of the guys have ample screen time, except Jet Li who seems to have taken on more of a cameo role, but still given the time to do what he does. The best of all the cameos has to Norris, who really lives up to his online legend, which they play up in the script as well. He only makes a brief appearance in the movie a couple of times, but it is not only memorable, but he seems to kill more people than anyone else in the entire movie, which is no surprise as he is Chuck Norris.
This is exactly what it is meant to be a fun action packed homage to action films of the 90's. This series reminds the rest of Hollywood how a true action film is done and doesn't spare the body count in teaching this lesson. There is just enough story here to bring the film together but not enough to get in the way of raising the body count. The only real issue here is some of the CGI blood, but you can let it go and just have a great time while wondering who they will be bringing together for Expendables 3. As if the movies weren't enough, there are also trailer for both Stallone and Schwarzengger's next films attached which should be enough to tied us over for the release of their next film together The Tomb.
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