In 2010 Sylvester Stallone did what no one had done before; he’d gathered some of the biggest names in action movies, past and present, and put them all into one movie together. From himself, Schwarzenegger and Willis to Statham, Li and Austin, The Expendables had many of the biggest action movie names he could find. Now in the Expendables 2 he’s gone out and recruited even more action stars, and a director known for fast paced action and big explosions. Will it have the charm of the original, and even more importantly will it do even better at the box office?
After successfully completing a mission to rescue a wealthy Chinese businessman Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) is approached by Church (Bruce Willis) to go on another mission for him. It’s a seemingly easy job, but things go wrong quickly and when one of his team dies before it can be completed the mission changes into one of revenge. Vilain (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is hunting for lost soviet plutonium, and is willing to do anything to get his hands on it. Unfortunately for him he’s tangled with the Expendables, and finds himself heading towards a showdown.
The Expendables 2 is exactly what you’d expect it to be. It’s a guy’s action movie through and through, with a lot of blood, explosions and corny dialogue. Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger see their roles expanded, and even share a quirky moment together where they steal each other’s catch phrases. Chuck Norris is added to the cast this time around, and he delivers some of the funniest one liners. Jean-Claude Van Damme plays a terrific villain, but it is a shame that you don’t get to see a fight between him and Statham to pass the torch from one generation to the next. There is no doubt that there will be a third film in the series, with even more action stars added to it. After all, one has to wonder what it would be like to see Harrison Ford, Steven Seagal, or even Clint Eastwood blowing things up together.
The Expendables 2 is what it is, so don’t go in expecting something that it’s not. It delivers the action and the male bonding moments, but is short on plot. It’s a fun way to spend a Saturday evening, but it’s not something that will be winning any awards.
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