Review of The Expendables 3 (2014) by Agarcia732 — 14 Aug 2014

Some don’t seem to like this franchise, with it formula of action over story and plot. Some don’t like the decision to make this third installment PG-13. But, rating it PG-13 lets a bigger (and paying!) audience see the film (specifically younger people). I guess one of the reasons people liked the films in the first place was because of the bloody and gory violence, with language. However, that’s not the only thing that makes this movie series interesting—it’s the chance to see a bunch of your favorite (well, if you’re older) childhood movie actors kick-ass. Maybe a “water-down” Expendables isn’t appealing to some, but for others it lets them see the movie.

If you haven’t seen The Expendables 1 and 2, you can follow along on the story fine without them. To be blunt and honest, the first two films weren’t too well received by some critics anyway. IMO the plot and story are OK—probably a bit too simple. It’s not the best, but I don’t care about that much anyway. In a similar fashion to the Fast & Furious and Transformers series, I just come to be entertained. I leave my brain at the door, and throw logic out the window. I honestly disagree with the critics over both TMNT and TE3. Both are fun and entertaining, and that’s all I care about. I think the movie is just fun with comedy, crazy action stunts/scenes, and a big cast. It tops absurd action stunt after absurd action stunt.

One thing I noticed was that most of the characters had weird names: Barney, Christmas, Galgo, Toll Road, Hale Caesar, John Smilee, Mars, Goran Vata, , Max Drummer, and Trench Mauser. But who cares. Most of the cast members were interesting and fun, some more than others. The Expendables 3 has too many cast members, with a bigger focus on the new blood; the younger generation of “The Expendables”. They’re not horrible, but I care more about old people kicking ass. Most of the younger actors are unfortunately too similar to over-done generic archetypes/stereotypes. We should get to know them better if we’re going to care about them (especially when they get kidnapped in the movie).

Anyway, too large a cast. The best actors don’t have enough screentime. The plot is too simple (for a team called “The Expendables”, most of them don’t seem expendable enough to be left behind). However, tanks and explosions and guns and motorcycles and helicopters make it fun enough.

If you liked this review, read my other ones on movies, TV shows, and videogames. I have reviewed the 2014 films Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Guardians of the Galaxy, Sharknado 2, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Edge of Tomorrow, X-Men Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Blended, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Transcendence, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Blended, The Lego Movie, and more. I also review TV shows, such as : TNT’s The Last Ship, Fox's Sleepy Hollow, ABC's Marvel's Agents of SHIELD, CW's The 100, Fox's I Wanna Marry Harry, NBC's Crisis, Fox's Gang Related, and more.

Good bye! Sincerely, AG732.