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MY REVIEW OF THE EXPENDABLES
The Expendables is anything but Expendable. It's the action movie we've been missing since the mid-90's when Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger gave way to Nicolas Cage and Matt Damon. I'm not entirely bashing either Cage or Damon, they just represent the end of the golden age of action but thanks to Stallone and company its on its way back. Bruce Willis got the ball rolling with LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, Sly got back in the action game with RAMBO and the end result is the cinematic masterpiece THE EXPENDABLES.
"Something extraordinary..something ground breaking.."
It's so rare that a movie with such high expectations can ever match them but Expendables matches and EXCEEDS them. Sylvester Stallone had such an amazing and ambitious vision for the movie, to re-create the golden era of action with a cast no one believed could ever be assembled. Truth be told, if it wasn't for Stallone, this cast COULDN'T have been assembled. It took someone like Sly, someone who has earned the respect, put in the time and effort in his films, that all these actors just want to work with him and want do it receiving very little or no pay. Everyone involved knew they were making something extraordinary, something ground breaking.
"if I felt let down, I'd be putting my frustration into words right now..."
Ever since I saw the original poster for this film listing the names Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham and Jet Li in red lettering against a black background I've been in love with this movie. With each additional casting, each new piece of information I learned, my love and anticipation only grew. Now I know what you're thinking, I'm just going to give this movie a free ride and say its good no matter what. Trust me, if my expectations weren't met, if I felt let down, I'd be putting my frustration into words right now. But in total honesty, I feel nothing but happiness and excitement about what I witnessed and I can't wait for a second installment in what I hope becomes a new action franchise.
"Just plain brilliant writing...."
Sylvester Stallone just gets action and he knows how to incorporate drama and humor to bring it all together. Obviously the drama quotient isn't overly high in this film but it certainly has its moments including a couple terrific scenes involving Mickey Rourke (Tool) and Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) that setup character motivation and serve as a driving force in the film. The comedy comes from all over because Sly just has some terrific dialogue for all the characters but by far some of the best comes in the historic scene featuring ACTION LEGENDS Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone. You will be laughing out loud at the final line Stallone throws out about Schwarzenegger's character. Just plain brilliant writing.
"dream match-ups that deliver..."
The fight scenes and action are UNBELIEVABLE!! We get Dolph Lundgren vs. Jet Li, Randy Couture vs. Steve Austin, Sylvester Stallone vs. Steve Austin..it just goes on, dream match-ups that deliver, you just wish they were longer cause they are so amazing. Terry Crews proves he can blow shit up with the best of them, earning his stripes in the genre of action. One of my favorite action sequences takes place at a dock with the seaplane, I won't spoil it too much but lets just say you'll be cheering when its over.
"fists are thrown, legs are kicked, SHIT BLOWS UP..."
There will be those who bash this movie, some already have and everyone is entitled to their opinion. But at the same time, from the complaints I've read at least, those who bashed it missed the whole point of the movie. This is a throwback movie to the golden age of action where you just sit back and cheer as fists are thrown, legs are kicked, SHIT BLOWS UP and you drink it all down and relax with a nice beer and a cigar. If your going into this movie looking for the meaning of life or some epic drama, yeah you won't find what your looking for and think the film is a waste of time. Do you have a glass of milk when what you really want is an ice cold beer? Hell no, you have the beer!! If your craving Milk go watch Julia Roberts eat, pray and love or Michael Cera try and lose his virginity again in Scott Pilgrim, if you want an ice cold beer, you watch the fucking awesomeness that is The Expendables.
Two Thumbs Up....10/10....PERFECT!!
Two Thumbs Up....10/10....PERFECT!!
