by Robbie Jones
Action films are an absolute blessing, and they’re quite diverse; there’s smart action films, there’s stupid action films, there’s slow action films, there’s fast action films, there’s good action, there’s bad action films and finally, there are ‘So bad it’s good’ action films. A lot of films from the 80s fall under that last category, but they are just so damn enjoyable. So it was exciting news in 2010 when we heard that there was a going to be a film that brings together all the old action stars of the 80's and some of the modern heroes we see today for a big action romp under the direction of Sylvester Stallone.
Action films are an absolute blessing, and they’re quite diverse; there’s smart action films, there’s stupid action films, there’s slow action films, there’s fast action films, there’s good action, there’s bad action films and finally, there are ‘So bad it’s good’ action films. A lot of films from the 80s fall under that last category, but they are just so damn enjoyable. So it was exciting news in 2010 when we heard that there was a going to be a film that brings together all the old action stars of the 80's and some of the modern heroes we see today for a big action romp under the direction of Sylvester Stallone.
That film was The Expendables, and with Stallone leading the cast, he was joined by Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Terry Crews, Eric Roberts, Arnold Schwarzennger and Bruce Willis. The film received mixed reviews, and rightfully so; it didn’t quite capitalise on its potential to be a silly throwback to the old days and instead took itself too seriously. Whilst good, it’s the worst of the trilogy. Then Expendables 2 came out in 2012, adding Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth, action hero Jean Claude Van-Damme, and the man who was made a living legend by jokes on the internet, Chuck Norris to its cast. THIS was the film everybody wanted the first time round. Nothing but sweet, sweet satisfaction. It was cheesy, it was ridiculous, it was nonsensical, it was PERFECT. So The Expendables 3 came to us earlier this year, and thankfully it followed the style of Expendables 2. Was it as good? Hell no. But it was still superb.
Barney Ross (Stallone) and his team are attacked by one of the original Expendables founders Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), leaving Ceaser (Terry Crews. Not Andy Serkis, unfortunately) critically injured. Taking a personal vendetta towards his former ally, Barney refuses to let his team get hurt, and leaves them to find a team of younger people to help him take down Stonebanks. But we all need a little bit of help from our friends, and it’s not long before the whole gang is back together for a nail biting battle with Stonebanks.
Barney Ross (Stallone) and his team are attacked by one of the original Expendables founders Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), leaving Ceaser (Terry Crews. Not Andy Serkis, unfortunately) critically injured. Taking a personal vendetta towards his former ally, Barney refuses to let his team get hurt, and leaves them to find a team of younger people to help him take down Stonebanks. But we all need a little bit of help from our friends, and it’s not long before the whole gang is back together for a nail biting battle with Stonebanks.
The Expendables 3 has the most new additions to its cast: The younger crew that Barney rallies together consists of Kellan Lutz, Victor Ortiz, Glen Powell and Ronda Rousey (who, despite being in a film which takes advantage of the stereotypes of the action genre, manages to kick arse AND be a well rounded character), and whilst they’re acting skills all leave something to be desired, this isn’t the film that asks for Oscar winning performances. It asks for a group of actors who can feel like a team, and can make you root for them, and that’s exactly what this new blood does. But of course, this was a film series founded on the golden oldies, and there’s a great couple joining the cast; Kelsey Grammar assists Barney in his search for fresh meat, and does it excellently, somewhat reminiscent of Mickey Rourke’s role in the first film (The best thing about it) in that he doesn’t do any action scenes but steals every scene his is in with his great voice and stunning charisma.
At the start, we meet Wesley Snipes’ character and original Expendable Doctor Death, in his first major role since being released from prison (And yes, there is a joke about tax evasion). Then we have Antonio Banderas as an overexcited war veteran and sharpshooter whose desperate to join Barney’s crew. Banderas serves as the film’s major source of comic relief, and he is hilarious. Mel Gibson plays the villain, and whilst he doesn’t do as good as a job at Van-Damme did in part two, he still kicks arse. Finally, Harrison Ford helps out returning cast members Schwarzenegger and Li (who is, again, horribly underused) and is just so bad-ass it’s unreal.
At the start, we meet Wesley Snipes’ character and original Expendable Doctor Death, in his first major role since being released from prison (And yes, there is a joke about tax evasion). Then we have Antonio Banderas as an overexcited war veteran and sharpshooter whose desperate to join Barney’s crew. Banderas serves as the film’s major source of comic relief, and he is hilarious. Mel Gibson plays the villain, and whilst he doesn’t do as good as a job at Van-Damme did in part two, he still kicks arse. Finally, Harrison Ford helps out returning cast members Schwarzenegger and Li (who is, again, horribly underused) and is just so bad-ass it’s unreal.
The film suffers from a lack of Terry Crews, who is injured in the beginning which gets the entire plot rolling, as he is a hugely enjoyable actor. However, the film certainly didn’t suffer from the loss of Bruce Willis, who has made himself known to be a prick and refused to star in the film because they wouldn’t pay him what he wanted. Good riddance I say, because even though he did a great job in the first two, his absence meant the introduction of Harrison Ford in a similar role and we’re much better off for it. And of course, we can rely on our usual cast members Statham, Couture, Schwarzenegger and Dolph Lundgren to turn in likeable performances.
It doesn’t quite reach the heights of The Expendables 2, but it’s still as awesome as ever. The last 40 or minutes or so of this film are perhaps some of the most exciting scenes of 2014. It’s not exactly smart or a masterpiece, but it’s exactly what it needs to be: An entertaining bit of fluff. People have criticised the films for not being smart and not having much meaning, but that’s all intentional. It lacks those things for a reason: They’re unnecessary. It doesn’t need brains because it has brawn. It doesn’t need soul because it has soldiers. Those things aren’t missing, they’re right where they should be: As far away from this film as possible.
Normally I’d say they should call it quits here and get annoyed at the fact they’re making The Expendables 4, but considering how great this one was and that Pierce Brosnan is attached to it, it could better than we expect. But for now, The Expendables 3 is an exciting romp that satisfies greatly, and it’s the perfect stocking filler for the action buff in your family this Christmas!
The Expendables 3 is on DVD and Blu-Ray now
It doesn’t quite reach the heights of The Expendables 2, but it’s still as awesome as ever. The last 40 or minutes or so of this film are perhaps some of the most exciting scenes of 2014. It’s not exactly smart or a masterpiece, but it’s exactly what it needs to be: An entertaining bit of fluff. People have criticised the films for not being smart and not having much meaning, but that’s all intentional. It lacks those things for a reason: They’re unnecessary. It doesn’t need brains because it has brawn. It doesn’t need soul because it has soldiers. Those things aren’t missing, they’re right where they should be: As far away from this film as possible.
Normally I’d say they should call it quits here and get annoyed at the fact they’re making The Expendables 4, but considering how great this one was and that Pierce Brosnan is attached to it, it could better than we expect. But for now, The Expendables 3 is an exciting romp that satisfies greatly, and it’s the perfect stocking filler for the action buff in your family this Christmas!
The Expendables 3 is on DVD and Blu-Ray now