The Expenables!

The Expendables was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, featuring him and an ensemble cast of the last twenty year’s action stars.  All play bit parts in a mercenary group led by Barney Ross (Stallone), where each has a specialized skill and style of combat. 

A mysterious man, Mr. Church, offers Ross’ team a job that would have them overthrow the tyrannical government of a small gulf island, Vilena. Ross and Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) travel to Vilena to meet with their contact and to do some reconnaissance.  Once there they find that the real problem for the island is an American, James Munroe (Eric Roberts), trying to exploit the people and to build a drug empire.  After getting too close to the palace the three have to fight their way back to the plane to escape danger.  Not wanting to leave her country, Sandra (Giselle Itie) stays behind against the request from Ross Barney. 

Not wanting to accept the job, but feeling he is responsible for putting Sandra in danger, Ross decides to go back on his own to save her.  The team, loyal to their leader, decides they are up for the task to take down the government and to save Sandra.

The movie is exactly what you would expect with the abundance of gun fire, explosions, fight scenes, bad guys, heroes, and, of course, a damsel in distress.  Didn’t expect it to be a good movie, although I knew it would be an entertaining movie.  Keeping your expectation in check will allow you to enjoy the movie for what it is.  Sylvester Stallone is actually very coherent and the acting is, well, not why you will go see and enjoy this movie.  The cast of Sly Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, along with two small cameos, is what will draw the audience to the theaters. 

Overall I would give this movie a 3 out of 5.  The story is passable and the action is sufficient.  The ensemble cast is what makes this movie what it is.  The special effects weren’t all the great, and the score was a little off at times, none of which effect the entertainment value.