Their is plenty good, and probably plenty bad but one of my most anticipated films of 2010 darn well entertained!!

Rating: 8/10 (18 August 2010)

I think I could write a whole book on The Expendables so bare with me while I reduce it to IMDb friendly size. I love Sly Stallone. I've been a huge fan of his for years and years since I was a young lad. I think he's one of the greatest action stars of all time and I was on pins and needles taking in every detail of his newest film. So my expectations were anything but low but I also knew exactly what to expect from this film as well. Anyone going in thinking they are going to see anything more than what they promise shouldn't see the film. Massive explosions, bulging muscles, action stars, cameos, gun fire, blood, violence, gratuitous everything (except nudity perhaps surprisingly.) A dictator in a foreign country, mercenaries, and a sleazy villain. All of these come in at break neck speed. The action is so brutal and non stop that it leaves you breathless and cleverly and appropriately hides the films negative aspects. The cheese is in place and purposely so I have no doubt. This was meant to be Stallone's homage to everything action and mostly from the 80's when he was in his prime and you couldn't possibly have an homage to 80's action without plenty of cheese.
Sylvester Stallone still knows how to impress his audience. He knows what people want and he delivers it...still to this day. He knows the red blooded 20-30 something males want to see people being ridiculously eviscerated regardless of reality or story. His character could definitely use some more depth. I would love to find out more of his back story and where he came from and how he puts together his team. But regardless of that he still looks awesome and does his proper role. Perhaps the best action star of the current generation is Jason Statham so it definitely makes sense to have him in the film as runner up to Stallone. Statham gives a solid performance and is a little less dark than he is in some of his other roles. I really wanted Stallone and Statham to have wicked chemistry and it isn't bad but it isn't as good as it should be for this type of film. Eric Roberts is actually the perfect 80's action flick villain. I would have liked to have seen more of him but he was absolutely great. He was one of the best characters in the film. Jet Li is decent but very underused as one of the members of The Expendables. I hope he gets a lot more depth and use in future sequels (oh yah baby get ready for them.) He also rarely does his trademark Martial Arts. Dolph Lundgren is terrific and actually gets the most depth out of his character ironically and even that isn't much. The battle with Lundgren and Li is great but where was the Stallone/Lundgren fight?? The person I thought I could do the most without was Mickey Rourke (I'm not a fan) but imagine my surprise when he actually turned in one of the best and most emotional performances. He doesn't even get into the action but is like the heart of the team. I would love to see him come back for future instalments. Now here is the list of 'main' characters that could be completely removed or replaced and you would never notice...Randy Couture, Steve Austin, and Terry Crews. I know I left some performances out but I only have so much room and I have more to say. And finally to the much talked about cameos and meeting of the three masters Stallone, Willis and Schwarzenegger. Yes the scene was very small. But it was also effective and fun. I mean Stallone did the impossible...he California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to play a role...it was small of course but there was even some back story there. And the direction of the character was well done and the witty repertoire between the three of them was fun as well. I think peoples expectations of the scene were far too high. We can always hope Willis will return for a bigger role next time.
The Expendables is far from a perfect film. The character depth is practically non existent and I wanted to know more about them. The film was mega hyped as this massive collaboration of huge action stars but let's be real...it may have started that way but in the end you have Stallone and Statham, Li as maybe a supporting big action star, Lundgren perhaps but fighters and athletes and pro-wrestlers don't equal big action stars. Stallone, Statham, Li, Lundgren, Willis (in a full role), VanDamme, Seagal, Snipes, Gibson, Cruise, Weathers, Norris (and I can't stand Chuck Norris), Nolte, Eastwood, Bronson (yah he's dead)...that would be an ensemble action cast. Still I have no complaints about the film as an action flick. The body count was huge and the 'R' rating was firmly in tact and that is the way it should be. Many will hate The Expendables but you have to take it for why Stallone created it and for that reason the film is a man lovin' action masterpiece and I for one am cheering out loud that Stallone gets his comeback especially at this age. 8.5/10