The Expendables *** (2010, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke) – Classic Movie Review 804

‘We are the shadows and the smoke, we rise. We are the ghosts that hide in the night.’ – Barney Ross (Stallone).

Mercenaries Sylvester Stallone (aged 64), Jason Statham (38) and Jet Li (47) team up to go to the South America jungles and take on evil bad guys – slick sadist Eric Roberts, his bald henchman Steve Austin and the local sleazy general David Zayas – and save Mexican lovely Giselle Itié, the dictator’s daughter.

After a slowish and muddled first half hour, Sly’s movie hots up to some great old-fashioned mayhem in a resplendently unreconstructed 70s-style actioner. It’s nice to report that the old guys don’t do so bad in the acting or action departments, though Statham steals the movie as Lee Christmas. He really looks like he can kick ass and handles what one-liners the patchy script gives him pretty darned well.

As star, Stallone’s a surprisingly amiable, relaxed presence as Barney Ross and, boy, can he still run and fight! And, as co-writer (with Dave Callaham) and director, Stallone can still turn in a very workable, acceptable movie. Of course, you want it to be great – but it’s just OK. But then that’s OK. The scene where Sly meets his old pals Bruce Willis (as Mr Church) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (as Tench) is the funny highlight. It had to be – but it is.

The tiny Li’s exciting rumpus with the giant Dolph Lundgren is probably the fight highlight. All the players are good value. Mickey Rourke could have done some action – but instead he’s got rambling anecdotes to mumble, providing plenty of time for a bathroom break.

Thanks Expendables – not expended yet then. It was a hit, revived Sly’s career and sequels were demanded, The Expendables 2 in 2012 and 3 in 2014.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 804
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