Review of The Expendables (2000) by Sidney S — 17 Aug 2012

The return of the 80's action movie! The action team up of the century is action packed, loud, explosive and a pure adrenaline rush that will please any action fan or fans of its star studded cast.

Action film legend Sylvester Stallone stars, co-wrote and directed this smashing all star action hero team up. This film despite its rather thin plot is loads of fun. This is a movie where you just kick back and let your eyes feast on the amazing fight scenes, explosions, shootouts and corny (but awesome) one liners. As a fan of action films and as a fan of Stallone and his previous films I went into this film with high expectations and boy were they surpassed. Most of the credit is owed to Sly knowing how to completely construct cool action sequences and the interaction of the team itself.

The team is a pure brilliant concept, action heroes from past and present uniting as "The Expendables," a group of mercenaries trying to stop a threat in a foreign country. Sly gives a solid performance as the team leader Barney Ross, he is badass, cool and ultimately still can do great stunts and many of his own action scenes. Stallone is a legend. Jason Statham is just downright cool! he is the scene stealer, Lee Christmas the knife expert, his fight scenes are awesome, his use of martial arts and his deadly attacks with the knife are jaw dropping. Jet Li the legendary Kung Fu master himself also was a great addition to the team, as well as another popular 80's action star Dolph Lundgren. Up and coming action stars Terry Crews and Randy Couture were also perfectly incorporated. Eric Roberts was the perfect villian, with Steve Austin by his side. And need I say Mickey Rourke is just hilarious. The film had many standouts, from the first trip to the island, the car chase and ultimately its climax featuring the entire team and hell breaking lose, but I admire the opening scene on the cargo boat.

However as a moviegoer and action film fan one of the high points of the film for me was that much anticipated and hyped church scene. It was short and simple but a long time coming for movie geeks like myself to see, the big 3 act along side each other for the first time. The 3 biggest icons in action film history Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis meeting in the church was pure awesomeness and comical.

The Expendables is great fun and a great throwback to the 80's action films.