August 29, 2012 -- It isn't often a sequel is made that is better than the original movie, but “The Expendables 2” manages that trick with sheer audacity, spectacle, star power and goofy humor. Sylvester Stallone (who also co-wrote the screenplay), Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Liam Hemsworth all star in a film with one of the most crowded poster credit sections in recent history. Some of these guys, like Jet Li, have previously announced their retirement from action films, but of course we didn't really believe them. One good paycheck for a cameo role is all it takes to come out of retirement.

There is nothing subtle or serious about this action-packed mercenary revenge film. The actors aren't really playing roles in this film as much as caricatures of themselves from previous movies. They let you know that they know exactly what they are up to as they constantly make references to their earlier roles and movies, joking around as they film this intentionally silly movie. That makes for a lot of references to a lot of movies. Between them, these action stars have been in hundreds of action movies.

Stallone plays Barney Ross, head of a team of mercenaries who are ambushed by a bunch of bad guys, led by Jean-Claude Van Damme. A member of Ross' team is murdered in the attack and Ross vows revenge. In fact, the only reason for the murder is to create a revenge motive. Also at stake is a cache of fissionable nuclear materials that Van Damme's raiders plan to recover and sell to the highest bidders on the black market. So the mission is to kill all the Euro-trash villains and recover the nukes before they fall into the hands of terrorists. You expect a mano-a-mano showdown between Stallone and Van Damme at the end of all this violent foreplay, and the movie doesn't disappoint. It deliver all the expected action and more. There is also a “Magnificent Seven” protect-the-village subplot.

One of the most memorable things about this film is the blood. I think a lot of the blood is generated by computer graphics. The body count in this movie is very high and blood is exploding everywhere as bullets rip into bodies. This is mostly cartoon-style violence, however. Most of the deaths to faceless bad guys are at a distance, not up close.

Dolph Lundgren, who became a star in “Rocky 4” has a nice scene where he tries to make an explosive out of materials at hand using his knowledge of chemicals. In real life, Lundgren, who often plays none-too-bright villains in the movies, actually does hold a degree in chemical engineering. This is just one of the many self-referential moments in the film. It seems like every other line out of Schwarzenegger's mouth is “I'll be back.” The jokes in this film are as over the top as the violence. If you can get past all that blood and goofy, heavy-handed humor, this reunion of action stars on the brink of retirement rates a B. I can just see the Saturday Night Live scenes now with Stallone and Schwarzenegger look-alikes battling each other with their canes and walkers in “Expendables 3” which is in the works now, really.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2012 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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