MOVIE REVIEW ... THE EXPENDABLES

MOVIE REVIEW ...

THE EXPENDABLES

Taking pot shots at Sylvester Stallone has been a favourite past time for critics.  Everything from his tabloid friendly private life to his action films has been discussed and torn apart with gleeful fervour.  Whilst none of his movies have resembled Citizen Kane in quality, he’s had the last laugh with some very profitable commercial spectaculars.  The Expendables should add more filthy lucre to his cash mountain, with its all-star/all action riff on the Dirty Dozen motif giving another reason for critics to furrow their scornful brows.

Army veteran Barney “The Shizo” Ross (Sylvester Stallone) is a man on a mission.  Sent into a South American country to overthrow a ruthless dictator, his team of highly trained mercenaries are ready for battle.  Armed to the teeth with an assortment of deadly weapons, they find their objective isn’t as clear cut as it seems.  Determined to win at any costs, it’s up to Ross to ensure his men fight to the end with every ounce of their tactical abilities.

 

With more than a passing nod to his 80’s actioners, Stallone’s latest is a well-made morass of noise and explosions.  Those who enjoy watching buildings blown to smithereens and bad guys beaten within an inch of their lives will love it.  It isn’t meant to be anything more substantial than that – just a violent adventure in its purest form with some realism added to avoid a slide into cartoonish parody.  The Expendable’s villains are truly evil with the heroes using everything in their disposal to see their opponents dive into a well of destruction.

When such characters are played by Jet Li, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke you know you aren’t seeing this for the acting.  Whilst that sounds harsh their mumbling of the dialogue makes following the thin plot difficult although thankfully Stallone’s direction keep these to a minimum.  It’s their fighting skills audiences want to see and they are effectively shown in the many skirmishes allowing each individual to shine. 

Ear muffs should be worn whilst watching this ode to combativeness as The Expendables bashes its way through cinema screens.  Although not one of his best it gives Stallone an appropriately explosive coda on which to conclude an action career built on causing endless mayhem.

Movie Review Rating out of 6 / 10 

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

THE EXPENDABLES Released in Australia on Thursday 12 August 2010.

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