Review of The Expendables (2000) by Mark W — 04 Dec 2012

It took me quite a long time to get around to watching The Expendables, mainly because the whole idea seemed a bit silly. The first time I saw a trailer I was sure it was a hoax, one of those novelty mock ups or an advert for some big consumer product.

Of course the whole point in The Expendables is that it is just a bit silly, much like the 1980's action flicks that made many of these men stars in the first place. The difference is that in 2010, action films are more violent, which may or may not be a problem depending on the individual.

Times change, The Terminator and Die Hard are two of the finest examples of 80's action, they used to be 18 certificates, now they are 15 and they are probably moderate 15's given some of the films that make the category these days.

The Expendables took a cut to achieve 15 in the cinemas here in the UK but went uncut on DVD and is currently released as an 18. The in all this point is that the violence in The Expendables is really just be a reflection of audience expectations, something that The Expendables is fundamentally playing up to and Sly clearly doesn't want angry fan-boys.

As a film it is perfectly functional but the joke isn't one that is going to have much of a life with someone like me who isn't exactly an action junkie. One film is fine, a sequel may be pushing it.