I was expecting a great action film after such gems as Rocky Balboa, and Rambo.

Rating: 8/10 (30 August 2010)

But what is that old saying? Oh yeah. Expectation brings disappointment.
This film was a failure in every area I can think of. The acting was sub par (except for Mickey Rourke), the dialog was terrible (Shut up insect!), and the story left a lot to be desired.
The funny thing is, this film should have worked. He had a great concept (getting all the great action heroes and putting them in one film), cool bad guys (Eric Roberts, and Steve Austin), beautiful women (Charisma Carpenter, and the other Latino chick who I can't remember the name of), and a heck of a lot of explosions, and fighting.
So what didn't work? I mean, why did this impossible concept fail?
You wanna know why?
Because he didn't utilize the great talents of the men he hired.
Jet Li- Horribly underused. Barely does any of the moves he's known for. And just becomes a token Asian guy, who's the butt of jokes. I mean I can't remember how many times they made fun of how small he was. He was the true gem of this film who needed to shine for who he was. But this film never gave him a chance.
Terry Crews- A big man, who is remarkably funny, but they dummied him down. Tried to keep him serious. He would have been great comic relief, but was instead cast as a serious soldier, with just isn't his style (White Chicks, Benchwarmers, and Everybody Hates Chris attests to how funny he is), while still being a little tough, and funny.
Charisma Carpenter- Beautiful woman, but was mainly posted there for her great beauty, then for her ability to act. Sly's a good director. He should have pulled it out of her.
Dolph Lundgren- He's a brilliant man in real life. Just watch him in interviews. He went to MIT for gosh sakes! His character should have been closer to who he is in real life (brilliant, with a scientific mind, but as tough as hell). The tough as Hell part they got right, but having him cast as a dumb brute just didn't work.
Randy Courture- I couldn't even figure out the kind of character he was. Other then a good fight scene with Austin, and an explanation of what the cauliflower ear was, which were good and funny, but other than that, there really wasn't much development about who this character was, or enough scenes to learn about his personality.
The fighting was too quick, and had too many fast cuts. I couldn't even catch what was going on, and the plot was too simple, too Hollywood to really be anything special.
And the explosions just became monotonous, and full of useless boring noise.
I mean there were a few good scenes (like the one with Mickey Rourke, and Sly), and a few great action sequences, along with good support from Statham, and a worthy buddy to Sly, but overall, it just wasn't a good film.
So in the end I spent a total of $19.50 for myself, and my friend. $9.75 each.
That's a lot of money, and it felt like I got robbed.
I mean, it's Sly's a great chef, who made his food, with all the correct ingredients, but put in too much of this, and too little of that, and slopped it together really quickly, without cooking it all the way through.
Sorry, but I don't think I'll be staying for dessert.