Could this be the most macho movie ever?!

Rating: 7/10 (30 November 2010)

Remember back in the day when action movies were all the rage? Back when Ahnold could flip a car over, spit in a Predator's face, and utter a monotone one-liner to hapless victims before ripping their hearts out. When Sylvester Stallone could sputter some really macho words before blowing away cannibals and punching the crud out of pro boxers. What do we have these days? The action genre is still alive and well with Jet Li and Jason Statham both pulling mad Kung-Fu moves, with wrestlers like Stone Cold Steve Austin smashing their way to the big screens, and with Mickey Rourke taking on Iron Man.
Much like any number of big action films, "The Expendables" offers a massive dose of wicked attitude and heart-throbbing action, complete with big explosions, wild gunfights, super-fast martial arts, gnarly knife-fights, careening vehicles, and loads of fake blood. Whether looking at it as a touch of classic action-movie nostalgia or an exercise in modern action choreography, the film entertains all the way.
The film has probably the biggest manliest cast since "The Magnificent Seven," with the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, and Dolph Lundgren joining forces to kick butt. Also look out for a few action-star cameos! I can't say that the chemistry between all these characters really works, but one can't help but to appreciate the loosely hobbled together teamwork they strive for. Collectively, they embody a style and spirit that seems like a form of distinctively all-American heroism.
All that being said, it's still not a great film by any means. The good news is that the photography is generally solid and satisfying; action scenes do look good. The production value is stylish and slick, with decent set-pieces and entire arsenals of cool weaponry. But the film does fall short with its writing and its story/character development. It's as brainless and irreverent as one can expect from an action film (after all, it's not like the stories for "Under Siege," "Bloodsport," "The Specialist," "The Condemned," "The Transporter," etc etc etc were ever top-notch either). You can also expect plenty of absurd and unrealistic moments.
Recommended for action junkies only.
3.5/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 2.5/5, film: 3.5/5)