if you were thinking of skipping over "The Expendables" please, I implore you, reconsider. This is one of the best action films of the summer.

Rating: 9/10 (15 August 2010)

One of the most highly anticipated movies of the year has been "The Expendables" and it's no mystery as to why. Number one, it's a summer action thriller and summer action thrillers are good business. Number two, and the primary reason, is that it has the perfect ensemble cast for an old-school, testosterone-powered, kick-butt action movie. The movie not only stars writer/director Sylvester Stallone, but also big names such as Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger himself (albeit in a small cameo role). This ensemble casting was destined to attract big bucks for the box office and it is worth every penny of it. "The Expendables" may not be much in terms of depth and story construction, but honestly do we expect or demand that from a movie such as this? I sure don't. And so for me, "The Expendables" was one of the most energetic and exalting movies of the year.
I won't go into any real detail about the plot, because the plot is not what this movie is all about. What "The Expendables" is about is this: lots of kinetic, heart-pumping action sequences, strong names in strong performances, and satirical one-liners. And it has all of this to our expectations and above. It's not just a one-note, blood-spraying thriller that's grim and depressing. Like "Die Hard" it has a certain note of joy and excitement in its attitude. It does not glorify violence and its scenes are torture and persecution are effective. But when it's not featuring shoot-em-ups, it's really one funny satire. When they're not blowing up baddies, Stallone and Statham and the others are usually gathered around a table or an airplane or Mickey Rourke's tattoo shop slamming each other with one-liners often pinned on the actors' physical features and actual lives. A great treat is the cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger. On paper or with an unknown actor, this scene would have stopped the story. But the filmmakers wield the scene with jokes about Schwarzenegger's political campaign and his acting past as well as Stallone's so that it becomes one of the highlights of the movie. Admit it, wouldn't you love to grow up with friends like these guys?
Does "The Expendables" live up to the hype and expectations? I think it reaches them and beyond. Usually one to criticize a movie for focusing more on action and less on story, I took a different approach with this movie and had the time of my life. It's really about just two things: action and one-liners. It has its fill of both and they're both effectively instilled into the film. Stallone, who also directed and co-wrote the movie is really redeeming himself for his sloppier productions in the middle of his career and has created one heck of a swashbuckler. Stallone is also a fantastic action director and the multiple shootouts and car chases in this movie are utterly fantastic. The only gripe I do have is in the final battle, which is long and powerful, there are a few quips I had. Sometimes the lighting was just too dark so it was hard to see who was fighting who or frankly just what was going on. But this is a minor quip.
Before questioning whether my favorite action flick of the year was "Iron Man 2" or "Salt," now they have been dethroned and "The Expendables" reigns over them. I saw this movie the day right after I saw Christopher Nolan's modern-day masterpiece "Inception," so it has been a great weekend for me. If you were thinking of skipping over "The Expendables" please, I implore you, reconsider. You will have the time of your life.