The Expendables is exactly what we were expecting – a great 80s action film. But is that enough?

With The Expendables, Sylvester Stallone focused less on the plot and more on the cast. The film features Stallone himself as the head of the titular mercenary group for hire which include Jason Statham, Jet Li, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Dolph Lundgren, and Mickey Rourke, who has retired from the group. These tough guys are hired (over a similar group led by Arnold Schwarzenegger) by the mysterious Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) to take out a dictator (David Zayas) on the small island of Vilena in the Pacific who is being funded by an American (Eric Roberts) and his thugs (led by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin). Although reluctant to go through with the job, Stallone is lured back by the beautiful Sandra (Giselle Itié).

The Expendables is an action film in the purest sense. Eschewing the recent innovations of the gritty spy genre jump-started by The Bourne Identity, Sylvester Stallone provides a raw, violent film full of guns, knives, and explosions. The visceral action on display here is a rare sight in cinema today, having almost died out in the 90s. It’s odd that such a thriving genre got pushed aside in favor of comic-book and sci-fi flicks (which I also love). Action has remained an integral part of popular entertainment, but the true action film, unfortunately, is a dying breed. Not only does The Expendables bring back this fun genre, it does so with the most impressive ensemble cast in recent memory. Seeing Stallone, Willis, and Schwarzenegger on-screen together is quite a treat, but the rest of the cast is also great.

But has nostalgia blinded us? If you take out the action legends, would it be the same? Of course it wouldn’t. Part of what makes the film so enjoyable is seeing these stars back on the screen. Most of them aren’t retired, per se, but its been a while since we saw Stallone, for example, in a true leading action role. Bruce Willis, who gives the best performance in the film by far, and Arnold are left with mere cameos, but that scene is so fun to watch. In any case, I am judging this film based on my observation of it in the here and now.

Without such a fantastic cast, The Expendables would be a very mediocre film. The plot is nothing new, and the dialog and characterization is shoddy at best. From a writing perspective, Stallone has seen better days. Still, the charisma that these actors bring to their roles and the classic over-the-top action makes up for any shortcomings in the more subtle aspects of filmmaking. Unfortunately however, the film thinks that it should be more than an action film, so we are forced to sit through too much mediocre dialogue and half-hearted character development. I understand some of this, but at times the film’s faults are pushed to the edge and almost, but not quite, mess with the awesome action. The most egregious example of this is the random Jason Statham side-plot that is completely unnecessary. The film needs a villain so I understand setting up the actual job, but anything not related directly to the mission at hand should have been trimmed out completely.

In the present flood of comic-book and superhero films, “The Expendables” are a group of tough, manly heroes that use firepower to achieve their goals. There is the story about redemption and heroism, but that was unfortunately pushed aside. Still, I defy you to come up with another film this year that packs so much true action into one movie.

The Expendables is a film that pushes its flaws to the center, trying to be something it shouldn’t be but still remains an awesome action film that really delivers what it sets out to and the amazing cast is a a must-see.

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Atomic Popcorn brings you yet another Top 10 Tuesday! This time we are bring you a list of some of the best chase scenes around. While most of us think about chase scenes involving cars, I have added a few to my list of chases without cars. While this list begs for more attention, I think i have highlighted some of the best there is, and I ask for your additions to this list.

I am aiming to have this column be something in which we can talk about and struggle with coming up with the best of the best for that Tuesday’s topic.

If you all have ideas for a top 10 list or want to see something specific send us an email at top10@atomicpopcorn.net and we will try and get it up here for you!

Without further ado – here is our Top 10 Chase Scenes. Enjoy!

10. Mad Max -What more can you say about this one, a true Gibson classic.

9. Matrix Reloaded – I can only find half of it online, but only half of it still garners a top 10 spot!

8. Gone in 60 seconds – This is the ORIGINAL baby!

7. Tranporter 3 Bike Chase – Yes I am well aware that this is on a bike and can’t possibly happen, but it’s fun as hell to watch.

6. Bullitt – Featuring Steve “badass” McQueen.

5. James Bond The Spy Who Loved Me – Skiing anyone? The Winter Olympics should be proud!

4. Enemy of the State – this still holds up as a great flick along with some great chase scenes. If you can find the full chase scene let me know -

3. Casino Royale – Madagascar in HD! Enjoy it.

2. Italian Job – chase scene -The Original !

1. Ronin – watch and have fun!

If you’re an action junkie, you’re pretty much already sold on Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables. I need not explore the plot of the film, because with a cast consisting of Stallone himself, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Terry Crews, Bruce Willis and Mickey Rourke, you need no other reason to purchase a ticket.

That, and this clip (which seems to reveal a lot from the film, so spoiler warning) seems to deliver a pretty clear message about the fun experience we’re in for. Enjoy, and get excited for August 20, 2010. I’ll be in line for this one.

He's not outnumbered, he's just letting them think they have a chance

Action hero Jason Statham is filling up his slate with more roles to boot, the first of which is is the upcoming modernized remake of the 1972 Charles Bronson action thriller. The actor will star in it along with Simon West (When A Stranger Calls) helming the post 9/11 spy thriller pic. Along with that, he’s jumping on board to be part of a movie entitled The Killer Elite, directed by Gary McKendry, based off of a 90′s thriller novel called The Feathermen.

Statham is currently in the middle of filming the ridiculously badass action film ready to explode into theaters next year, The Expendables with Sly Stallone and many others. Including yet another film into his already stacked schedule, he’s on to be a part of The Brazilian Job, and yes this reporter thinks that the title does implicate some things as well. One thing is for certain, Statham’s career is as fast paced and nearly indestructable as his heart in the Crank movies, and I am pretty confident in saying that all of us look forward to what this action star comes out with next.

Stone Cold is Expendable

AFI at this moment is already reshaping their 100 Movies list to put The Expendables at number one. This movie just keeps getting better with an already stellar cast with Sylvester Stallone, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Forrest Whitaker. Add Stone Cold Steve Austin to that list.

ScreenRant reports that the Texas Rattlesnake will be joining the aforementioned and Charisma Carpenter in Sylvester Stallone’s epic action film. For those not up to speed, the film is about a group of mercenaries who are sent to South America to take down a dictator only to realize it’s a suicide mission because they are, well, “expendable”.

At this point, I’m expecting the world’s population to increase by the millions when this film comes out due to the pregnancies this film will cause. The cast assembled is any action fans wet dream and the story oozes with the ultimate in kickassery.

Filming begins March 28, 2009 and here’s hoping the cameras don’t explode from filming too much awesome.

Well lets be honest with ourselves here. Do any of us really go to see Jason Statham act in a Transporter movie? For that matter do we watch any of these films for the acting? To answer this for you, NO.

We go to these kinds of movies to see some ass kicking happen and let me tell you, there is no lack in that department. The film has a ton of ass kicking along with some great broken limbs.

Transporter 3 delivers exactly what everyone wants to see. Action, some action and a little more action. While it does have its occasional lull in between the car chases, the explosions and even the occasional bike stunt, the 3rd installment doesn’t fail us. I would even say the 3rd film could top 2 and come very close to over doing 1.

A little bit about the movie: Statham is back as our favorite transporter, Frank Martin. Caught up in the middle of a toxic waste conspiracy with the foreign governments, Frank is forced to deliver yet another package to an unknown destination. Of coarse nothing is truly what it seems and the rules have to be broken. We all know how Frank feels about breaking his rules.

I must say that the female in this movie had me flip flopping about her character throughout. She comes off as a very mysterious sexy woman, then an ignorant child, then a sexy woman again. I loved it all! Newcomer Natalya Rudakova brings in a very sub par acting piece but pours on the heavy club kid slash grunge girl persona. The persona and look is what I loved about her.

Overall, this movie should be taken as what it truly is, its an action packed unrealistic film. But a hell of a fun movie to say “Damn!” to. As with any movie Statham has been in, you have to take each stunt/scene with a grain of salt. Frank Martin really is back and its nice to see what unfolds for him one more time.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves this genre. I would not recommend this for a date night. I would think most women would turn their heads away on this one.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 

Check out the featurette for the upcoming Transporter 3 starring our favorite badass Jason Statham. The first two films were directed by Louis Leterrier of Incredible Hulk fame.

I would probably assume that this movie is just an addition to the films rather than anything new, but it seems to me its a cross between Transporter 2 and Crank. What do you think??

The movie is scheduled to appear in theaters on November 26th 2008.