[5.25/10] The Expendables (2010)

The Expendables (2010)

Loads of action, stupid story, over-the-top explosions and macho one-liners is what you expect from "The Expendables". And while you get a hunch of all this, Stallone 80's-inspired action flick fails by presenting far too many characters, who just don't have anything interesting to do at all. The first half is utterly boring and slow, the middle segment lacks stunts and the whole third part consists of the grand finale, which is basically the only big explosive action scene in the entire movie. The action itself isn't choreographed or shot in the 80s fashion at all. You have fast cuts, shaky cam, confusing camera angels and lot's of CGI blood. Stallone tries to combine 80's action stars with contemporary style of filmmaking and action, but it just doesn't work. The dialogue, too, is lacking. Obviously a stellar script was not going to be the main draw here, but most of the great action movies have some snappy banter and at least one memorable one-liner, where this has neither. It does try a few times, but these efforts fall flat. One of the most prominent features of "The Expendables" is, of course, the A-list cast of biggest action stars in Hollywood history. Most of the film's focus is on Stallone and Statham, who both work fine on their own, but are lacking in chemistry when on-screen together. Stallone may not have much in terms of a personality other than 'he's the leader', but he's acceptable. Statham has his usual, natural charisma at hand and he uses it to the fullest, yet the two don't quite mesh together. Lundgren is rather good, with his character turning to the dark side not long into the film, making for a decent role. Eric Roberts isn't a great villain at all - all he does is wear tuxedos, smirk and act like a total ass - but he does ok with what he was given. Everyone feels underused, especially the martial arts master , Jet Li, which is a common symptom of an ensemble cast such as this. In fact most of the cast becomes fully functional only in the second half of the movie. All in all, "The Expendables" is poorly-written, badly-shot and rather brainless. It lacks spectacular action, excitement and kinetic energy, and it's just occasionally entertaining.

• My Rating: 5.25/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 39% (5.2/10)
• IMDb: 7.6/10