Nostalgic harking back to action heydays

Rating: Null/10 (6 September 2010)

The Expendables is an old-school, kick-ass action movie, but for 2010. The fighting is rougher, the use of knives and shooting are bloodier and the explosions are bigger. What hasn't changed though is the awful dialogue, and true to 80's tradition the female characters are not given much to do.
Old Sly Stallone is never given enough credit, he's a nominated director, writer and actor. Compared to his other 80's counter parts you'd expect him to still be a huge bankable star, but that just hasn't been the case and he's seen career ups and downs. Following up the surprisingly great Rambo, Stallone is on slightly lesser form here, with an almost homage to the action flicks he starred in or went head to head with himself in the 80's.
There's lot to like about The Expendables, naturally there's lot of action set ups and some nice 'buddy' chemistry between Jason, Jet and Sly. Eric Roberts put's in a good performance and it's great to see him in a blockbuster. There's welcomed cameo's from Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. This action has an array of old and new action stars including Dolph Lundgren and Steve Austin. The car Barney Ross (Stallone) drives is similar to the one in Cobra (1986) and there are some other nods in there.
For me Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) stands out the most, and while Mickey Rourke is given some meaty dialogue it seems too heavy for the theatrics of the rest of the film.
Don't watch expecting anything spectacular or special, The Expendables is just R rated fun with a nostalgic cast that will leave you with a grin on your face.