Sly Hasn't Lost His Touch!

Rating: 10/10 (15 August 2010)

With Stallone's drawing power in question, it has left many wondering how The Expendables will pan out. His recent revivals of both Rocky and Rambo were very well received by the general public, however, no evidence in the box-office suggests this. The latest Rocky and Rambo grossed an estimated $70M and $40M respectively. Even unadjusted for inflation, these films still failed to gross more than their originals from 25 and 30 years prior. Well, enough history. Let us talk Expendables.
From start to finish, this film is an absolute feel good movie. The action is absolutely fantastic, for there are plenty of fast moving, hard hitting fight scenes. Some more than others, but in typical Stallone fashion, the action will get your adrenaline pumping. Not since the last Rocky film, and more so, the older Rocky films, have I experienced that feeling of invincibility and manliness that only a Stallone flick can give you.
What makes this movie even more enjoyable is the ensemble cast. Not only is it an assembly of great action names, but as characters, they are very likable, and seem to each have a quality about them that is not overdone, but done just right. Watching this bad ass group of mercenaries on screen kinda gives the viewer a feeling of looking in at a family, or experiencing a kinship between one another. It comes across to me that Sly and co. have done just as much to show us the caring and closeness of these tough guys as opposed to a bunch of empty characters functioning only to advance plot as I seen in Rambo.
For everything that Sly did wrong with Rambo, he got right with the Expendables. Rambo is great for the violence; The Expendables is great for everything. I strongly suggest that you see this film. I promise, unlike most movies today that make you feel like crap afterwords, this movie will leave you with a smile on your face. It is not the seriousness of 2012 nor does it have to do with other worldly concerns. It is a fun movie that does what it is intended to do: Kick Ass!