They are back - this time they bring noise!

Rating: 6/10 (16 August 2012)

So here comes the masterpiece that "Expendables 2" is. Not really no. Far from masterpiece. But the thing is, it is an absolute blast from start to finish literally. The first chapter wasn't that bad at all but the excessive amounts of CGI bood, the terrible special effects and the quick/cut fight scenes betrayed the purpose of the film. Instead of being a massive throwback to the 80's clichéd and unbelievable flawed action flicks, it felt a mis-mash of seriousness - first half - and goofy fun -parodic action sequences in the second half. "Expendables 2" does not repeat the same mistakes. Simon West who knows two or three things about action ("Con air"), relies and mostly succeeds in delivering high octane action blasts. Every possible gun is on screen and on use. Vehicles such as tanks, choppers, bikes, trucks, aeroplanes and jeeps are blown up into tiny little pieces in glorious fashion through massive and loud set pieces. The film is rated 15 here in UK so you get to see bloody shootouts that may remind you some of the chaotic sequences in ...wait for it..."Hard Boiled" (not choreographed though).
What makes E2 that much fun is the unique combination between all these (mostly) old and new stars. Sylvester Stallone still has it and it is remarkable that he doesn't try to focus too much on his character or to a potential love interest (Yu Nan - more on her later) because that would look ridiculous. The rest of the cast are great, particularly Dolf Lungren who kinda steals the show with one liners and weird facial expressions. However, the biggest sensation....comes from Jean Claude Van Damme as the psychotic Jean Villain!?. Not only the actor is having a blast as the primary villain, he is actually sensational. Every time he is on screen, he actually acts more like Villain and not as Van Damme. His presence is kinda magnetic and his physical mannerisms very interesting. I cant believe i am saying this. Sure he is not going to get any awards for that performance, but it is a) a nice change, b) good to see him on the big screen again and c) actually a pretty decent villain. Van Damme FTW! Willis and Arnie have more to do this time and it is really cool to see three of the biggest action stars of all time to kick some serious amounts of ass by blowing up buildings, destroying walls or ... by driving Smarts!
Biggest disappointment comes from Jet Li though! He is merely in the film for 10 minutes and then he is gone (that's no spoiler btw). In the first film, most complaints aimed at Jet Li's character who didn't have a particular scene to shine. Here West understood this and gives him a whole new sequence with frying pans to do something. His exit from the team early makes room for Yu Nan's Chinese agent who is simply to put it terrible. Never convincing for a special agent, her line delivery is astonishingly bad, her relationship with Barney awkward and frankly i did not care for her. She is out of place and looks confused all the time. The filmmakers should have tried to get Michelle Yeoh for that part!
The fight sequences are better this time around (highlight the airport shootout), the action bigger and better and the actors seem to have more fun. Quieter scenes when these characters are talking and interacting to each other with jokes and philosophical talks are always a plus in an overloaded action film as we actually tend to like them and they do not come cheesy. E2 is not a terrible film but neither a very good one. In fact it is not even a good one. But it is a decent effort against to all those boring CGI infested action films of the last couple of years with a great cast and some AWE-inspiring set pieces. And any film that makes Van Damme cool again, is considered awesome.