*SPOILER WARNING*
I've never been that great at writing reviews, so please excuse me if I miss out any elements. And I will keep this all spoiler-free for you guys who have not yet seen the film.
I watched THE EXPENDABLES 2 yesterday with a good group of friends, at a cinema with a good audience and a great sound system. Wow... Where do I start?!
Well, first things first - YES, it is better than the first film in many ways (although, myself and one of my best mates - who stayed with me to watch all the end credits that we could hear all of Brian Tyler's score, both felt that one Mr. Rourke was sorely missed). Simon West pulled off a pretty decent sequel here. The opening action sequence hits the ground running and had my heart pounding - just fantastic and mind-blowing! All those great times I had growing up, playing with G.I. JOE action figures, imagining they were my favourite movie action heroes (I had Sly as 'Flint', Arnie as 'Duke', Chuck as 'Wild Bill', Sho Kosugi as 'Storm Shadow' etc.) seemed to come to life in that crazy pre-credits battle alone. Lots of humour throughout; the Barney Ross/Lee Christmas banter is still there (one gets the idea that Sylvester & Jason have forged a great friendship off-screen too and I look forward to HOMEFRONT), one line in particular delivered by the Stath as he moans over the radio, "You gave me a s**t job!" reminded me of Jim Belushi in Arnold/Walter Hill classic RED HEAT. Everyone has their moment to shine - Jet Li (yes, he was underused but he still kicks ass and delivers a couple of funny one-liners), new recruit 'Billy the Kid' played by Liam Hemsworth is believable enough, although I did feel his character was almost 'copied & pasted' from that of Matthew Marsden's 'Schoolboy' from RAMBO 4, hell he even had the same sniper rifle! Dolph Lundgren... Ha Ha! The big man! Gotta love Dolph. He easily delivered the funniest moments. Just too much to mention without keeping it spoiler-free but 'Gunner Jensen' ROCKS! Now, EVERYONE talks about Chuck Norris and quite rightly so; his character, 'Booker a.k.a. The Lone Wolf' has the best entrance I've seen in any film in a looooooong time! The music cue that was used was PERFECT and had me cheering! It was just magic seeing Chuck and Sly on-screen together, albeit for a few scenes, it just felt right. Arnold Schwarzenegger & Bruce Willis provide good back-up also - a few funny lines exchanged and a good amount of ass is kicked, courtesy of Johns Mclane & Matrix! Mr. Van Damme as resident baddie 'Vilain' - he plays it pretty well I thought, not too flamboyant but he seems to relish the role with accuracy. Just a small note - there is a nice little set-up between the two British action stars of the piece - Jason Statham and Scott Adkins who plays Vilian's right-hand man 'Hector' - it's just a few lines and a glance and you KNOW there and then that it's on between them! And it culminates in a cracking duel between them towards the film's climax. Oh, and the final fight between Sly & JCVD was great too (I was reminded of the Spartan/Phoenix battle at the end of DEMOLITIONMAN).
I have tried to concentrate on the positive elements here. Yes, the film has flaws but I'm sick of hearing/reading about the 'complaints'!
For months and months, there has been doubt & speculation and people jumping to conclusions, slagging off decisions that were made, slagging off Stallone and all that nonsense. At the end of the day, all we as film fans can do is just watch the final product and decide for ourselves. I enjoyed THE EXPENDABLES 2. A lot. I had fun and I was never bored whilst watching it. Is it the perfect action movie? No. It may never rank in anyone's Top Ten list or the likes of but dammit it's a fun time at the movies - loud, explosive, tongue-in-cheek, the cast clearly having a blast and enjoying themselves. And that was good enough for me. I'll probably see it again on the big screen (as I did with the first film), I'll DEFINITELY be snaring the blu-ray (I have two editions of the first film in my collection), I've already pre-ordered the score CD and I look forward to THE EXPENDABLES 3.
Just a final note, I for one am sick to the back of my teeth with all the 'superhero/comic book' adaptations that have saturated the box-office these days and it seems that, at long last, us fans of still-loyal, old-school action film fans have a few good 'uns to look forward to - UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING, BULLET TO THE HEAD, THE LAST STAND, HOMEFRONT, A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD and THE TOMB.
That's all Folks. Go see it, have fun and be sure to enjoy some cold beers with your friends afterwards and discuss, just like I did!
Snake-Eyes (a Sly Fan for Life)
London, ENGLAND
I watched THE EXPENDABLES 2 yesterday with a good group of friends, at a cinema with a good audience and a great sound system. Wow... Where do I start?!
Well, first things first - YES, it is better than the first film in many ways (although, myself and one of my best mates - who stayed with me to watch all the end credits that we could hear all of Brian Tyler's score, both felt that one Mr. Rourke was sorely missed). Simon West pulled off a pretty decent sequel here. The opening action sequence hits the ground running and had my heart pounding - just fantastic and mind-blowing! All those great times I had growing up, playing with G.I. JOE action figures, imagining they were my favourite movie action heroes (I had Sly as 'Flint', Arnie as 'Duke', Chuck as 'Wild Bill', Sho Kosugi as 'Storm Shadow' etc.) seemed to come to life in that crazy pre-credits battle alone. Lots of humour throughout; the Barney Ross/Lee Christmas banter is still there (one gets the idea that Sylvester & Jason have forged a great friendship off-screen too and I look forward to HOMEFRONT), one line in particular delivered by the Stath as he moans over the radio, "You gave me a s**t job!" reminded me of Jim Belushi in Arnold/Walter Hill classic RED HEAT. Everyone has their moment to shine - Jet Li (yes, he was underused but he still kicks ass and delivers a couple of funny one-liners), new recruit 'Billy the Kid' played by Liam Hemsworth is believable enough, although I did feel his character was almost 'copied & pasted' from that of Matthew Marsden's 'Schoolboy' from RAMBO 4, hell he even had the same sniper rifle! Dolph Lundgren... Ha Ha! The big man! Gotta love Dolph. He easily delivered the funniest moments. Just too much to mention without keeping it spoiler-free but 'Gunner Jensen' ROCKS! Now, EVERYONE talks about Chuck Norris and quite rightly so; his character, 'Booker a.k.a. The Lone Wolf' has the best entrance I've seen in any film in a looooooong time! The music cue that was used was PERFECT and had me cheering! It was just magic seeing Chuck and Sly on-screen together, albeit for a few scenes, it just felt right. Arnold Schwarzenegger & Bruce Willis provide good back-up also - a few funny lines exchanged and a good amount of ass is kicked, courtesy of Johns Mclane & Matrix! Mr. Van Damme as resident baddie 'Vilain' - he plays it pretty well I thought, not too flamboyant but he seems to relish the role with accuracy. Just a small note - there is a nice little set-up between the two British action stars of the piece - Jason Statham and Scott Adkins who plays Vilian's right-hand man 'Hector' - it's just a few lines and a glance and you KNOW there and then that it's on between them! And it culminates in a cracking duel between them towards the film's climax. Oh, and the final fight between Sly & JCVD was great too (I was reminded of the Spartan/Phoenix battle at the end of DEMOLITIONMAN).
I have tried to concentrate on the positive elements here. Yes, the film has flaws but I'm sick of hearing/reading about the 'complaints'!
For months and months, there has been doubt & speculation and people jumping to conclusions, slagging off decisions that were made, slagging off Stallone and all that nonsense. At the end of the day, all we as film fans can do is just watch the final product and decide for ourselves. I enjoyed THE EXPENDABLES 2. A lot. I had fun and I was never bored whilst watching it. Is it the perfect action movie? No. It may never rank in anyone's Top Ten list or the likes of but dammit it's a fun time at the movies - loud, explosive, tongue-in-cheek, the cast clearly having a blast and enjoying themselves. And that was good enough for me. I'll probably see it again on the big screen (as I did with the first film), I'll DEFINITELY be snaring the blu-ray (I have two editions of the first film in my collection), I've already pre-ordered the score CD and I look forward to THE EXPENDABLES 3.
Just a final note, I for one am sick to the back of my teeth with all the 'superhero/comic book' adaptations that have saturated the box-office these days and it seems that, at long last, us fans of still-loyal, old-school action film fans have a few good 'uns to look forward to - UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING, BULLET TO THE HEAD, THE LAST STAND, HOMEFRONT, A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD and THE TOMB.
That's all Folks. Go see it, have fun and be sure to enjoy some cold beers with your friends afterwards and discuss, just like I did!
Snake-Eyes (a Sly Fan for Life)
London, ENGLAND
First off really good film no doubt, a great action movie and I loved it. But to me it wasn't perfect, the final shootout in the airport was the biggest problem in my opinion. It just felt too easy for them, like they didn't even break a sweat, and to me that dissolved a lot of tension and suspense when the bad guys could not fight back at all. There was just no challenge to the whole thing. The JCVD and Stallone fight was great though, and the opening scene of the movie is probably my favorite opening to an action film of all time.
SUBMITTED BY TREVOR
SUBMITTED BY TREVOR
A damn good time (should have been the first Expendables)
I’ll tell you what I did not think highly of the first Expendables film and I can even tell you why…I thought it was rushed and thrown together (cluttered). I thought Arnold Schwarzenegger’s role in the movie was not even needed at all and he was only in it because he was a big name. Part of the problem was he could only film for one day in the first film because he was still Governor of California and could only film on a weekend without the people of California becoming mad at him. It was also apparent Bruce Willis’s part was far too short as well but at least his role was needed. I thought the biggest disaster of “The Expendables” was how Mickey Rourke’s character was used it seemed like he had a story around the main plot of the story and it didn’t seem like he was needed either (certainly not as much as he was used anyway). Rourke did not have one action scene and it was almost always boring every time he was on screen. There was almost no action in the first Expendables until the end of the film and the editing was atrocious. Sylvester Stallone might want to stick to acting and not go into directing in the future (unless he is able to give his full attention to a film and not act in it like a Clint Eastwood). That being said, the Stallone, Willis, Schwarzenegger scene and the Stallone versus Austin scene in the first film were awesome. In the Expendables 2 critics might give Simon West shit here but you know what as far as I am concerned he did a decent, no, actually a damn good job. There was an actual pace to this film (something the first one was lacking) and you know what it was clearly because of West. I have to tell you as far as I’m concerned Expendables 2 was a blast! It is not going to win an Oscar and it sure as hell is not a masterpiece or even a great serious movie but it is also not trying to be. I can tell you one thing it was a wicked good time. Just sit back and don’t think too much just enjoy it. I mean do you think Predator, Die Hard, or Universal Soldier would ever win an academy award? All of my favorite action stars from the 80’s, 90’s and today all starred in an action film together and all were used properly to make it work. There were scenes that were funny, scenes with great action, and everyone was needed in the main plot of the story. The film is not in the same category as Rocky, Universal Soldier, Predator, Terminator, or even Die Hard but more like a True Lies, Nowhere To Run, Rambo category. None the less the movie is what the first Expendables should have been it was not rushed, had a shit load of action, and was well edited (thank you West and editing team). I can also say Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and the great Arnold Schwarzenegger were all in the film from beginning to end this time around and that really made the movie kick ass. I’d say it put the “Expendables 2” a tiny notch above that True Lies, Nowhere To Run, Rambo category just because of the adrenaline pumping cast! The script could have been better (it was better than the first one), but who cares? It was a fun time. As far as acting goes I would say Stallone was impressive he did not break character and you really felt his connection with Liam Hemsworth (granted some of Hemsworth’s dialogue could have been shortened during the plane scene). It was great to see Arnold Schwarzenegger back in an action film in a major role. Chuck Norris probably had some of the best lines as well as laughs in the movie. Jean-Claude Van Damme was also very impressive as the villain. I actually thought he could have been used more every time he was on screen he was in perfect character (evil and a bit crazy too). The “Expendables 2” turned out to be one hell of a ride! I’d say 7/10 for action fans, and 8/10 for the cast. Bring on Expendables 3 and let’s turn that cast rating into a 10 out of 10.
SUBMITTED BY m
I’ll tell you what I did not think highly of the first Expendables film and I can even tell you why…I thought it was rushed and thrown together (cluttered). I thought Arnold Schwarzenegger’s role in the movie was not even needed at all and he was only in it because he was a big name. Part of the problem was he could only film for one day in the first film because he was still Governor of California and could only film on a weekend without the people of California becoming mad at him. It was also apparent Bruce Willis’s part was far too short as well but at least his role was needed. I thought the biggest disaster of “The Expendables” was how Mickey Rourke’s character was used it seemed like he had a story around the main plot of the story and it didn’t seem like he was needed either (certainly not as much as he was used anyway). Rourke did not have one action scene and it was almost always boring every time he was on screen. There was almost no action in the first Expendables until the end of the film and the editing was atrocious. Sylvester Stallone might want to stick to acting and not go into directing in the future (unless he is able to give his full attention to a film and not act in it like a Clint Eastwood). That being said, the Stallone, Willis, Schwarzenegger scene and the Stallone versus Austin scene in the first film were awesome. In the Expendables 2 critics might give Simon West shit here but you know what as far as I am concerned he did a decent, no, actually a damn good job. There was an actual pace to this film (something the first one was lacking) and you know what it was clearly because of West. I have to tell you as far as I’m concerned Expendables 2 was a blast! It is not going to win an Oscar and it sure as hell is not a masterpiece or even a great serious movie but it is also not trying to be. I can tell you one thing it was a wicked good time. Just sit back and don’t think too much just enjoy it. I mean do you think Predator, Die Hard, or Universal Soldier would ever win an academy award? All of my favorite action stars from the 80’s, 90’s and today all starred in an action film together and all were used properly to make it work. There were scenes that were funny, scenes with great action, and everyone was needed in the main plot of the story. The film is not in the same category as Rocky, Universal Soldier, Predator, Terminator, or even Die Hard but more like a True Lies, Nowhere To Run, Rambo category. None the less the movie is what the first Expendables should have been it was not rushed, had a shit load of action, and was well edited (thank you West and editing team). I can also say Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and the great Arnold Schwarzenegger were all in the film from beginning to end this time around and that really made the movie kick ass. I’d say it put the “Expendables 2” a tiny notch above that True Lies, Nowhere To Run, Rambo category just because of the adrenaline pumping cast! The script could have been better (it was better than the first one), but who cares? It was a fun time. As far as acting goes I would say Stallone was impressive he did not break character and you really felt his connection with Liam Hemsworth (granted some of Hemsworth’s dialogue could have been shortened during the plane scene). It was great to see Arnold Schwarzenegger back in an action film in a major role. Chuck Norris probably had some of the best lines as well as laughs in the movie. Jean-Claude Van Damme was also very impressive as the villain. I actually thought he could have been used more every time he was on screen he was in perfect character (evil and a bit crazy too). The “Expendables 2” turned out to be one hell of a ride! I’d say 7/10 for action fans, and 8/10 for the cast. Bring on Expendables 3 and let’s turn that cast rating into a 10 out of 10.
SUBMITTED BY m
I had been waiting a long time for this movie to come out, after the PG-13 fiasco I was amazed to hear that it was all a lie, but it takes more than that to make a great action movie. It also requires greataction scenes that are well filmed and violent, cool characters played by manly actors and great direction. So does this movie deliver or is it a disappointment just like the first was?
The action movie gods heard us and listened. Not only is this movie TONS better than the first, it's one of the best action movies I have seen in years. This is honestly one of the best sequels I have ever seen. I have yet to see another sequel where it DEMOLISHES the first movie.
Firstly, I would like to focus on the new cast members (Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme, Liam Hemsorth and Nan Yu) Van Damme plays the villain (His name is Jean Vilain, if that doesn't tip you off then you're hopeless) and he is after some plutonium that could help him destroy the world. He is a classic action movie 80's
villain. He has not ONE nice bone in his body, all he wants is to destroy the world. He and his right hand man, Hector (Scott Adkins) spend the whole movie just walking around and doing evil things, until the finale at least. With that said, don't think I am complaining about the performances of the actors because I am certainly not; Van Damme, to me, stole the whole movie. Every scene he is in he chews it up and spits it back out, you certainly believe that he's an evil bastard that can back his words up. Van Damme clearly has fun with his role, his character is playfully evil and calm throughout the entire movie. Scott Adkins brings back his awesome Russian accent in this movie, other than that his character is pretty basic. Van Damme was fucking great, a worthy addition.
Liam Hemsworth (AKA that guy who doesn't belong in this film) plays a young sniper named Billy, Stallone is his mentor and they both large amounts of respect for each other. He hates his career and just wants to go back to Texas (Or wherever the fuck he is from) and be with his wife. I will say this, he is actually good for what his character is there for. His acting is pretty well-done and he looks convincing as a seasoned sniper. I am glad he wasn't around for the huge action scenes (Even in the beginning scene, he merely snipes a few people) because he wouldn't have fit in. Hemsworth is only in the first 25 or 30 minutes of the movie and then he is killed off by Van Damme and Adkins, so his character is merely a plot point moreso than anything because the rest of the movie is about getting revenge for his death. I was against him being in this film but after seeing how he was actually used, I thought he was great.
Nan Yu is Maggie, an agent sent by Mr.Church (Bruce Willis) to help the Expendables out. This is one character I did not care for or care about. A lot of time is used on her when she first arrives and none of her dialogue is interesting and her acting ability is rather flat. Soon the acting aspect she didn't impress me, but she did do some cool action stunts and had some brutal scenes where she fought people. I wish I could say more about her but she's the least important member in this film. Great action, poor acting.
Chuck Norris I saved for last because that's the one most people are curious about. Was he good? Did he kick some ass? Well, here is some disappointing news. Norris is only in the movie for a total of 7minutes. He shows up in the middle for about 3 minutes then disappears until the end where he kills a few people and then leaves and this is roughly about 2 minutes long and then he is at the very end talking to Sly and it lasts about a minute. Okay, that isn't EXACTLY seven minutes but it is a really short amount of time. With that said, however, he does kick lots of ass whenever he is around. He saves the ENTIRE gang when it first shows him (He blows up a tank all by himself) and he even tells his own Chuck Norris Joke ("I heard you were bitten by a King Cobra." "Yeah, and after five days the Cobra died.") He is brilliant in the scenes he's in, he makes fun of himself and still manages to kick tons of ass in a seven minute timespan. I just wish he was in more of it, but he was still great.
Now, I will move on to the others.Stallone is much better this time around, his character is more developed and better acted. He feels pretty down about Billy's death
throughout the movie and Sly plays it really well. He is still the main star of the movie and gets the most screen time (And he should, he is the creator after all).
Statham has taken a backseat in this one, he has less of a presence. He still has funny lines with Sly and uses his knifes, but other than that it's about the same from him but that's not a bad thing.
Jet Li, if you're a fan of him you will hate the fact he's only in the beginning action scene and then he leaves. He has amazing fight scenes though, he makes good use with a couple of frying pans. He kills so many people this time around and it will definitely take your mind off of his underusage on the first film. Jet Li seems more comfortable this time around with his scenes and he clearly uses his own personal stuntmen.
Dolph Lungren gets MORE screentime in this one and that's always a good thing. He pretty much is the comic relief but he isn't so goofy to where you can't take him seriously, he can still tear bodies up if he wants to and certainly does. He has some of the best moments of the film (Look for the scene where he tries to get Maggie's attention on the plane) and he is in amazing shape.
Crews and Couture are still pretty much background characters, although Crews has a slightly bigger presence this time around and he has plenty of funny lines. He also has a few standout action scenes too. Couture stays largely in the background just as he did in the first one, so I can't really say much for him. He does typical action moves and has a few funny lines ("What the hell's wrong with cereal?")
Now, on to the other most hyped guys. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.
Schwarzenegger is absolutely awesome. Every scene he's in he steals the show in, he has the best lines and the best weapon. (Oomaya Kaboom) Honestly, it's typical Arnold but since it's about 10 years since we last saw him do his thing it's still amazing. He's only in the movie for about 15 minutes but he is used very wisely.
Bruce Willis returns as Church, he's the one who sends them on the mission that gets Billy killed to begin with. He's in about three scenes of the whole movie and finally starts to throwdown near the end. He's pretty much playing Bruce Willis as usual but this time he looks like he's enjoying himself.
This movie is very R rated, it has TONS of blood and gore. Everyone has their fair share of destruction. The action scenes are WAY more epic and better shot. No shaky or close cam this time around and there are some practical effects in it too. I don't want to describe them too much without spoiling them but I will say that the first 20
minutes trump the ENTIRE first movie. There's at least 4 heads that get blown off. The airport shootout near the end is already one of my favorite moments in film, seeing Arnold, Sly and Bruce Willis stand side by side shooting people is an action movie fan's dream come true.
My only issues with this film were with Maggie's acting and the fact that the film was too short. It could have had another 20 minutes or so.
All in all, I love this movie and plan to see it again soon, and this coming from somebody who HATES going to the movies.
If you love movies like this, then you will love this film. If you don't like films like this, then avoid it.
9.5/10
SUBMITTED BY JAKE COKER
The action movie gods heard us and listened. Not only is this movie TONS better than the first, it's one of the best action movies I have seen in years. This is honestly one of the best sequels I have ever seen. I have yet to see another sequel where it DEMOLISHES the first movie.
Firstly, I would like to focus on the new cast members (Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme, Liam Hemsorth and Nan Yu) Van Damme plays the villain (His name is Jean Vilain, if that doesn't tip you off then you're hopeless) and he is after some plutonium that could help him destroy the world. He is a classic action movie 80's
villain. He has not ONE nice bone in his body, all he wants is to destroy the world. He and his right hand man, Hector (Scott Adkins) spend the whole movie just walking around and doing evil things, until the finale at least. With that said, don't think I am complaining about the performances of the actors because I am certainly not; Van Damme, to me, stole the whole movie. Every scene he is in he chews it up and spits it back out, you certainly believe that he's an evil bastard that can back his words up. Van Damme clearly has fun with his role, his character is playfully evil and calm throughout the entire movie. Scott Adkins brings back his awesome Russian accent in this movie, other than that his character is pretty basic. Van Damme was fucking great, a worthy addition.
Liam Hemsworth (AKA that guy who doesn't belong in this film) plays a young sniper named Billy, Stallone is his mentor and they both large amounts of respect for each other. He hates his career and just wants to go back to Texas (Or wherever the fuck he is from) and be with his wife. I will say this, he is actually good for what his character is there for. His acting is pretty well-done and he looks convincing as a seasoned sniper. I am glad he wasn't around for the huge action scenes (Even in the beginning scene, he merely snipes a few people) because he wouldn't have fit in. Hemsworth is only in the first 25 or 30 minutes of the movie and then he is killed off by Van Damme and Adkins, so his character is merely a plot point moreso than anything because the rest of the movie is about getting revenge for his death. I was against him being in this film but after seeing how he was actually used, I thought he was great.
Nan Yu is Maggie, an agent sent by Mr.Church (Bruce Willis) to help the Expendables out. This is one character I did not care for or care about. A lot of time is used on her when she first arrives and none of her dialogue is interesting and her acting ability is rather flat. Soon the acting aspect she didn't impress me, but she did do some cool action stunts and had some brutal scenes where she fought people. I wish I could say more about her but she's the least important member in this film. Great action, poor acting.
Chuck Norris I saved for last because that's the one most people are curious about. Was he good? Did he kick some ass? Well, here is some disappointing news. Norris is only in the movie for a total of 7minutes. He shows up in the middle for about 3 minutes then disappears until the end where he kills a few people and then leaves and this is roughly about 2 minutes long and then he is at the very end talking to Sly and it lasts about a minute. Okay, that isn't EXACTLY seven minutes but it is a really short amount of time. With that said, however, he does kick lots of ass whenever he is around. He saves the ENTIRE gang when it first shows him (He blows up a tank all by himself) and he even tells his own Chuck Norris Joke ("I heard you were bitten by a King Cobra." "Yeah, and after five days the Cobra died.") He is brilliant in the scenes he's in, he makes fun of himself and still manages to kick tons of ass in a seven minute timespan. I just wish he was in more of it, but he was still great.
Now, I will move on to the others.Stallone is much better this time around, his character is more developed and better acted. He feels pretty down about Billy's death
throughout the movie and Sly plays it really well. He is still the main star of the movie and gets the most screen time (And he should, he is the creator after all).
Statham has taken a backseat in this one, he has less of a presence. He still has funny lines with Sly and uses his knifes, but other than that it's about the same from him but that's not a bad thing.
Jet Li, if you're a fan of him you will hate the fact he's only in the beginning action scene and then he leaves. He has amazing fight scenes though, he makes good use with a couple of frying pans. He kills so many people this time around and it will definitely take your mind off of his underusage on the first film. Jet Li seems more comfortable this time around with his scenes and he clearly uses his own personal stuntmen.
Dolph Lungren gets MORE screentime in this one and that's always a good thing. He pretty much is the comic relief but he isn't so goofy to where you can't take him seriously, he can still tear bodies up if he wants to and certainly does. He has some of the best moments of the film (Look for the scene where he tries to get Maggie's attention on the plane) and he is in amazing shape.
Crews and Couture are still pretty much background characters, although Crews has a slightly bigger presence this time around and he has plenty of funny lines. He also has a few standout action scenes too. Couture stays largely in the background just as he did in the first one, so I can't really say much for him. He does typical action moves and has a few funny lines ("What the hell's wrong with cereal?")
Now, on to the other most hyped guys. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.
Schwarzenegger is absolutely awesome. Every scene he's in he steals the show in, he has the best lines and the best weapon. (Oomaya Kaboom) Honestly, it's typical Arnold but since it's about 10 years since we last saw him do his thing it's still amazing. He's only in the movie for about 15 minutes but he is used very wisely.
Bruce Willis returns as Church, he's the one who sends them on the mission that gets Billy killed to begin with. He's in about three scenes of the whole movie and finally starts to throwdown near the end. He's pretty much playing Bruce Willis as usual but this time he looks like he's enjoying himself.
This movie is very R rated, it has TONS of blood and gore. Everyone has their fair share of destruction. The action scenes are WAY more epic and better shot. No shaky or close cam this time around and there are some practical effects in it too. I don't want to describe them too much without spoiling them but I will say that the first 20
minutes trump the ENTIRE first movie. There's at least 4 heads that get blown off. The airport shootout near the end is already one of my favorite moments in film, seeing Arnold, Sly and Bruce Willis stand side by side shooting people is an action movie fan's dream come true.
My only issues with this film were with Maggie's acting and the fact that the film was too short. It could have had another 20 minutes or so.
All in all, I love this movie and plan to see it again soon, and this coming from somebody who HATES going to the movies.
If you love movies like this, then you will love this film. If you don't like films like this, then avoid it.
9.5/10
SUBMITTED BY JAKE COKER
Possible spoilers... Great movie. Lots of action! Good to see Arnie, Sly, and Bruce in action together, even though that scene was too short. Van Damme plays a great bad guy, and the final fight scene with Stallone is awesome. Statham is cool as ever. Not enough Jet Li, I wish he'd been in more of the movie. Dolph was great. Hemsworth and the chick both did fine jobs. The scenes with Chuck Norris felt a little forced to me, although he had a couple of cool moments. Although I loved this movie, I was hoping for something similar to the end of EX1, where there was like a 15 - 20 minute non-stop action sequence (tunnel fight & enemy base battle). The ending sequence had a lot of action but honestly left me wanting more. Still, a worthy sequel to the original.
SUBMITTED BY POOCH
SUBMITTED BY POOCH
