The Expendables

Stallone is such an experienced hard worker and intelligent person that he basically confirmed what was expected, and he doesn't disappoint in The Expendables. He made exactly what was expected of him, paying homage to classic action movies of the past decade. There is a clear and distinctive directorial style (gore, action), which is a good thing, of course. But on the other hand, considering that the last Rambo was made by the same director, I would have expected a more coherent action. Overall, it is watchable, so mission accomplished. (18/09/2010)

Films of this kind can never excite me, already from their very basic nature – heroes that only rely on their muscles can never be heroes to me (and they aren’t). The Expendables are a celebration of dumb brute force – and a pretty expendable film as far as I’m concerned. Long live modern action films that rely on something other than how long and how often a hero on ‘roids can drop “funny” wisecracks. Back in the 80s, that may have had its charm (which I can feel even today when I watch those old films), but I don’t see any reason to go back to that. PS: The church scene was incredibly artificial and forced, like the rest of the film. PS2: The inferno at the end is pretty cool in the details but utterly confusing as a whole. (29/08/2010)

I know that the review at the end is exaggerated, but I just can't help it. I know that the story is incredibly simple and cliché, that there are scenes that play on emotions in almost unnecessary ways, which do not have any meaning for the plot, but when I watch the movie... It's still great. Sylvester Stallone had an idea. Get together more aging fighters, put them together with the young ones, and create a great gathering of stars. He succeeded a bit. Besides Sly himself, there are also Dolph Lundgren and Mickey Rourke from the old guard, Bruce Willis and, of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger in smaller roles. Finding these guys and adding stars like Jason Statham and Jet Li, as well as spicing it up with football star Terry Crews, MMA fighter Randy Couture, and wrestling giant "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, this had to be a hit in the end, whether you like it or not. Together, there is an incredibly packed and explosive team that has to stand up to a small dictator, his army, but mainly a scheming American who finances the dictator for his own interests. Among other things, the dictator is played by David Zayas, known from the TV series "Dexter," and the scheming American is played by B-list legend Eric Roberts. The story is not brilliant, not perfect, but the action scenes are just fantastic, each one has its place, each one has its style. Jason Statham is a knife thrower, Dolph is the brawler, Jet Li is the master of martial arts, and Terry Crews is a pro at really big explosions. I'm looking forward to the sequel, I'm looking forward to the third one, which I have no doubt will be made. My rating is high mainly because this is a return to legends, a return in a style that suits them. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/09/rebelka-perfect-sense-sprosty-holky.html (27/02/2013)

I was absolutely sure that I wouldn't like it, but from time to time one must endure mental torture in order to appreciate even more the movies that are truly worth watching. Half of the members of the cast I categorize as "My Least Favorite Nightmares," and some of them, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, I don't consider actors, but rather stereotypical figures, while others, like Sylvester Stallone, as below-average actors, and it is characteristic that if a quality action actor like Bruce Willis appears in something like this, they just briefly show up on the screen. The Expendables pay homage to violent action films from the 80s with muscle-bound heroes and these sorts of productions didn't make the slightest impression on me even at 15 years old, let alone today. Action productions that I appreciate include titles such as Indiana Jones, Die Hard, or the Bourne series, in general, movies that rely on a quality screenplay and top-notch acting. The Expendables is just as dim-witted as its genre predecessors and the scene of the contract negotiation in a church, which has humor, can't save it. For me, The Expendables is the same as a really strong cigar for a devoted non-smoker. Overall impression: 15%. (07/11/2010)

Satisfaction for me on all fronts. From the fighters’ hangout (admittedly, the church scene could have been a minute or two longer), to the witty banter and poking fun at themselves, to the sheer action-packed charge that always kicks in at the right moment. You could criticize it for all sorts of things, but the same also applies to classic nostalgic films. At times I felt like clapping loudly and shouting at the whole movie theater. Particularly the "fistfight" at the end was asking for it permanently. 4 1/2. I think I'll go see it again. Edit: I went again and the enthusiasm has lessened. I’m bothered a bit by the tediousness of the first half and the neglect of some of the team members (Couture, Crews). But from the moment Stallone breaks into the basement dungeon, it's one of the action highlights of (probably not only) the year. Regarding the fun factor, though, Joe Carnahan otherwise won... (26/08/2010)