Movie Review | Expendables 2
This sequel to the 2010 blockbuster arrives with a bang. The Expendables are back and immediately reintroduce themselves in a blistering hail of bullets and destruction. Five minutes in and the body count must have hit at least 50.
Yes the boys are definitely back in town and looking to ignite the screen once more with blood, machismo and cheesy one liners at every available opportunity. Expendables 2 is a complete fantasy of course. A ridiculous theatrical action fantasy that rattles and creeks along, flexing its big budget muscles and delivering outstanding explosive blood stained action set pieces all the way through its pumped and ripped storyline. There are plenty of laughs and a few tears to be shed along the way but this movie has all the right ingredients.
The story is typical action movie fodder, but the cast of action stars has increased and the anticipated cameo appearance of Norris was enjoyable. It is Jean Claude Van Damme who is a great surprise, as the cold hearted and unpredictable nemesis Jean Vilain.
Sylvester Stallone nails his performance as the charismatic yet detached leader of this unstoppable wolf pack of grizzled soldiers of fortune, and his character here is well rounded and hugely likeable. Indeed, the banter between the team is sharp and witty and spliced with in jokes and references to their shared heritage of 1980s action movies.
Let’s just hope there is a third chapter to the crazy exploits of these crazy sons of guns. – Rob P
