This film is out. of. control.

And incredibly awesome. It's one of the most badass films of all-time. Too many people die in terrible, terrible ways. I liked that all the big action stars in the movie got a chance to do crazy shit (Terry Crews demolishes people). And Arnold and Bruce Willis' cameos, although short, are pretty perfect. Bravo to Sylvester Stallone for putting this film together.

4 hours til left for me.

Oddly enough, the only way this could've been better is if the guys had a couple of more scenes where they just talk to each other in that garage of theirs. It would've made their comradery a little more believable and it would've given the audience even more of a reason to care in the last 30 minutes.

But the film is really only interested in having all these guys on screen together blowing shit up, and it does a pretty damn good job of doing just that.

***

An entertaining film, but one which falls short of its considerable potential. The draw is clear: an ensemble cast of action cinema icons, including Sylvester Stallone (also co-writer and director), Jason Statham, Jet Li, and Bruce Willis, together in one big-budget, explosion-and-gunfire-centric, R-rated summer "extravaganza." Certain flaws can be forgiven. For example, the standard, dull dialogue--conversations tend to begin with "Who can forget Bosnia?!"-type lines. Other flaws, however, are harder to ignore. Such as Stallone's often flat-footed direction of the action sequences. Too often the action consists of two or three characters wrestling or firing guns in nondescript warehouses. This high-profile cast of cinematic gladiators and (mixed) martial artists deserved more inspired set pieces. In particular, I was disheartened by Stallone's mishandling of Jet Li, my personal favorite "Expendables" co-star. Other than a fleeting, almost incoherent fight against Swedish monster Dolph Lundgren, Li has few chances to shine. It is unfortunate Stallone didn't write a villainous role for, perhaps, Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, or another martial artist/actor capable of facing Li in a better choreographed fight sequence than the Lundgren rumble.

Despite these shortcomings, this is not a bad film. The cast at times shines. Jason Statham in particular is charismatic. And there are a handful of memorable action moments (just a handful, but still). And there are laughs to be had, at times intentional and often unintentional (but still potent). So it's not a bad option for moviegoers, but it is a disappointing one. People with fond memories of Die Hard, First Blood, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Once Upon a Time in China, Rocky, etc. expecting this to live up to or even compliment those classics are doomed to a resigned sigh. The Expendables just doesn't get there.

C+

I can say Gunslinger is way off on Jet Li, I think Stallone did a fantastic job of putting of actually challenging Jet Li giving him a more against type role in the film (And he still has the best kill when he breaks a guys neck by kicking his neck down= ridiculous)

I loved it, I agree it needed to be longer. Bring on the sequel, it was exactly what I expected, and I expect a sequel to be huger and more ridiculous.

I really didn't like it. It seemed like the priority was to get the cast together first, figure out what they're going to do second. The script/acting was laughable, but even the action felt uninspired.

Neither the manliest movie EVAR nor the most fun movie of the summer.

But it was still pretty fun in its sort of let-downish, not-as-amazing-as-it-coulda-been way. Sorry to say, but the ending scene in Rambo (4? I dunno. The one that came out in 2008.), was way more brutal and entertaining than the ending scene in this, though Terry Crews kicked him sum ass with that gun.

And yaaay, Cordelia on mah screen. Even if only for 3 minutes.



out of

Remember this shit on X-mas

THE EXPENDABLES

First off, whoever built the film to this movie for today's showing was a pretty bastard because there must have been 7-8 teasers/trailers to it. It was freaking endless.

As for the film, I can't stand Stallone's face, nor his speech. I could care less about any of the dialogue in this picture which makes it an average film already but the action was decent to very good. Now, that action didn't really heat up till the last 20 minutes but it was exciting nonetheless. I enjoyed the boyfriend beatdown but the story to it was blah. I enjoyed the Jet Li Dolph fight and the truck chase sequence. It would have been cool to actually see Arnold or Bruce actually do some fighting in this picture. Also, it would have been even better if Chuck Norris, Seagal and Van Damme were in but as a straight action film. If they make a sequel with those people and have the last 20 minutes of action be 90 minutes of action then that might be the greatest action of all times.

Grade - B

A

This is the kind of action film I grew up watching. Lots of gun fire, explosions, hand to hand combat & staring all my fav actors.

a fun two hours entertainment

Actually, Sly plans on franchising this. I'm surprised that a guy like you would be dogging a movie that was specifically made for real men! I'll be seeing it Friday.

If there is a sequel, Chuck Norris, Van Damme, and Seagal would be great additions. A cameo by Clint Eastwood would also be nice. Maybe Kurt Russell, as well. Hell, bring Sean Connery out of retirement!

Don't get too classy.

I wanna put Hulk Hogan, Wesley Snipes, and Jackie Chan in for good measure.

Michael Dudikoff and Sho Kosugi.

Lorenzo Lamas
Cynthia Rothrock
Michael Jai White

Why is Michael Jai White lumped in with the likes of Lorenzo Lamas and Cynthia Rothrock? At least Jai White still gets respect in his recent roles in Black Dynamite and deleted scene in Kill Bill

I like Snipes and Chan.

Let's add Michello Yeoh please. I'm sure there's room for a female somewhere.

No Jackie Chan please. Donnie Yen would be a much better choice.

Speaking of Donnie Yen...

Bring on Chow Yun Fat...Hello!

I was very surprised at Dolph Lundgren's role. He was funny and actually pretty likeable. Van Damm must be kicking himself that he turned that role down.

Lundgren was horrible. Hard to watch.

I think Laughingly great is more like it. He's been a C rate actor his whole life, but actually showed a personality in this one. He'd be a fun guy to hang out with.

They should have resurrected Andre the Giant and thrown him in the mix.