Review of The Expendables (2000) by Danual G — 18 Oct 2012

All realism and credibility is thrown out of the window in this delightfully macho celebration of the 1980s action film. The action scenes are huge, loud and fantastically violent. It blends brutally choreographed mêlée, explosions and gunfights, with each one of the Expendables having their fair share of the action - the aestheticization of violence rarely gets more hilariously thrilling and satisfying than this.

Away from all the wanton destruction are parts that are surprisingly character driven, particularly the chemistry between Stallone and Statham, whose tough, competitive camaraderie may be somewhat clichéd but certainly entertaining.

Perhaps my satisfaction with the film was accentuated by my low expectations coming into the film, but I think I would've enjoyed it regardless of expectation; it delivered the masculine, ridiculously excessive carnage that, for me, makes it a funny, exhilarating break from reality - I left the film with a big smile on my face.