Good tribute to old school action movies

Rating: 7/10 (28 July 2013)

"The Expendables 2" is a slight improvement over the first movie. It's very funny , very charming B-class movie that is proud of what it is. A big , funny , nicely made summer blockbuster that wants to entertain as an action fairytale.
People who don't like this movie because it's unrealistic , cheesy and over the top forgot one thing – it was INTENTIONAL . The movie is a great love letter to old school action movies . To the movies that were full of testosterone . When one hero could defeat a whole army . Where one-liners and jokes were brilliantly cheesy and bad . Where heroes were larger than life and so were the villains. The movie keeps joking about itself and makes countless references to classic action movies.
Stallone has been replaced by Simon West ("Con air") as the director. It's a good decision , because his direction is superior than Stallone's from the first movie. "Expendables 2" is full of energy , and never boring or too serious for it's own good (another flaw of the original movie). There are some moral dilemmas here , but thankfully they aren't heavy handed and give the movie some kind of heart and depth.
The movie makes a better use of the all star cast. Dolph Lundgren is great as comic relief . Jason Statham has two really nice fights. Jet Li appears for only first 15 minutes , but was able to show his fighting skills. Stallone is more convincing as the leader of the group. Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger who were wasted in the first movie actually take part in action and give us their charisma and famous one liners.
The newcomers are also fun . Chuck Norris is adorable when he makes fun of himself. Jean Claude Van Damme is really good as the villain and definitely a better choice for that role than Eric Roberts.
There are some flaws. One new hero isn't really that interesting and the subplot involving him left me cold. Van Damme doesn't have too much time . Some jokes are rather flat. There is a love story here that is definitely undeveloped and feels unnecessary.
Plenty of cartoon violence , destruction and carnage. Big explosions . Lovely silly dialogue . I felt like a kid once again. They simply don't make them like this anymore. It's a shame. Too many action movies are dead serious and this one was a welcomed change of style.
If you like "Commando" , "Cobra" , "Tango and Cash" and so on you'll be satisfied . If you like more serious action movies , please go somewhere else. I give it 7/10.