by Aly Lalji
Sylvester Stallone is the man, the myth, the legend. While it is true that we must show respect to their elders, putting his sixty-eight years of age aside, Sly has contributed high level action entertainment for nearly forty years. His work in The Expendables 3, is another exceptional piece of work to his resume. Let’s not forget, this is his story and yet the man can still deliver action to extreme entertainment. If Elvis is the king of rock and roll, let it now be confirmed that Sly is the king of action movies, no question.
Sylvester Stallone is the man, the myth, the legend. While it is true that we must show respect to their elders, putting his sixty-eight years of age aside, Sly has contributed high level action entertainment for nearly forty years. His work in The Expendables 3, is another exceptional piece of work to his resume. Let’s not forget, this is his story and yet the man can still deliver action to extreme entertainment. If Elvis is the king of rock and roll, let it now be confirmed that Sly is the king of action movies, no question.
The premise is simple: The mercenary group, the Expendables, led by Barney Ross, come face to face with the team's co-founder Conrad Stonebanks. Ross was forced to kill Stonebanks after he became a ruthless arms trader, but Stonebanks survived and has now made it his mission to destroy the Expendables. Ross resorts to recruiting a new and younger generation of Expendables to help the team overcome his old adversary. Does the younger generation of Expendables pull off the job? How will the older generation take the news of being replaced? Will old and young work together to take Gibson down?
Although The Expendables 3 is tamer in violence, bringing the hard 15 rating to a hard 12, it still delivers the punch, the guns and explosions with excessive effect. The rules of the action genre are in all the right places to show more than tell. High intensity of action sequences keeps the attention span on high alert. Most essentially the tension graph of action goes up and down like a spectacular yo-yo, in the best possible way. When dialogue occurs, Stallone’s script delivers wit as lines are tailored perfectly for the ensemble performers.
Although Sly leads this cast like an emperor, his co stars must be given highest marks for their efforts. Once again Sly pulls in astounding Hollywood heavy weights that deserve respect for their past films that are very much referenced in The Expendables 3. The audience will truly take pleasure in Wesley Snipes’ come back with a vengeance, as the opening action sequence is where the Expendables team break Snipes’ character, Doctor Death out of prison. “What were you in for?” an Expendable says, to which Snipes being a good sport says, “Tax evasion.”
Although The Expendables 3 is tamer in violence, bringing the hard 15 rating to a hard 12, it still delivers the punch, the guns and explosions with excessive effect. The rules of the action genre are in all the right places to show more than tell. High intensity of action sequences keeps the attention span on high alert. Most essentially the tension graph of action goes up and down like a spectacular yo-yo, in the best possible way. When dialogue occurs, Stallone’s script delivers wit as lines are tailored perfectly for the ensemble performers.
Although Sly leads this cast like an emperor, his co stars must be given highest marks for their efforts. Once again Sly pulls in astounding Hollywood heavy weights that deserve respect for their past films that are very much referenced in The Expendables 3. The audience will truly take pleasure in Wesley Snipes’ come back with a vengeance, as the opening action sequence is where the Expendables team break Snipes’ character, Doctor Death out of prison. “What were you in for?” an Expendable says, to which Snipes being a good sport says, “Tax evasion.”
There are moments of hilarious banter between action hero stars that we have loved such as Willis and Ford. Sure, some of them are just wondering on set to earn their bucks and then leave. But the high tooting retorts and chemistry and bitchy lines are so funny to watch.
And Schwarzenneger’s Trench Mauser takes a step back to support his action rival officially confirms Sly the king of action. On the other hand referencing Predator adds to the charm of his performance as he saves the Expendables whilst Ford flies the helicopter. “Get to the chopper.” This line delivers pure nostalgia and makes us remember that Arnie once assumed the throne of action.
Ostensibly, where there is a protagonist, there must be an antagonist. Mel Gibson deserves a huge welcome back to Hollywood after several stumbles. This is the reason why we loved him as he can still pack a punch, but to see his amazing villainous side deserves an MTV Best Villain nomination. His character as Conrad Stonebanks, the former co founder of The Expendables, turned ruthless arms dealer is a villain you’ll love to hate.
At the end of the day, explosive, excellent and enjoyable, the Expendables 3 is the best in the franchise.
And Schwarzenneger’s Trench Mauser takes a step back to support his action rival officially confirms Sly the king of action. On the other hand referencing Predator adds to the charm of his performance as he saves the Expendables whilst Ford flies the helicopter. “Get to the chopper.” This line delivers pure nostalgia and makes us remember that Arnie once assumed the throne of action.
Ostensibly, where there is a protagonist, there must be an antagonist. Mel Gibson deserves a huge welcome back to Hollywood after several stumbles. This is the reason why we loved him as he can still pack a punch, but to see his amazing villainous side deserves an MTV Best Villain nomination. His character as Conrad Stonebanks, the former co founder of The Expendables, turned ruthless arms dealer is a villain you’ll love to hate.
At the end of the day, explosive, excellent and enjoyable, the Expendables 3 is the best in the franchise.
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