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☆ 

Deep down, I think we all knew it was too weird to be true. Sylvester Stallone had been talking a while back about how the fifth entry in the Rambo franchise would feature his character hunting down a genetically engineered monster. If ever there was a shark to be jumped or a fridge to be nuked, this was the grand-daddy of them all.

But now, Sylvester himself has notified the world of a slight change of plan. You’ve got to respect the guy for being extremely communicative with his fanbase in recent years. Here’s what he had to say:

I’m letting you know that Rambo has changed course and the story about hunting the man/beast will be done using another character in the lead. Rambo himself will be heading over the border to a violent city where many young women have vanished.

There will be blood.

Best,

Sly Stallone

This has its perks and pitfalls. We’re missing out on the chance to see something potentially really crazy awesome, a total genre-bender mid-series, but now we can also breathe easy and know he’s sticking to what makes the character strongest. Personally, I think as long as he doesn’t make another Rocky, we’ll be just fine.

The next time you’ll see Sly will be in The Expendables next year, which I cannot wait for.

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.

I’m a huge, unabashed fan of the Rambo series; while the third entry is ho-hum, the latest was unexpectedly the goriest thing I’ve ever witnessed on opening day. Sly Stallone deserves praise for delivering the goods in his age, with both of his major characters.

Now, after The Expendables wraps up post-production, Stallone will begin working on Rambo 5, which he’s talked about since the release of the fourth picture, with a desire to push the character “into a slightly different genre.” He’s also talked down the gore factor of the fourth entry, which was excessive and refreshing, so I’m equal parts enthusiastic and skeptical.

Millenium Films/Nu Image (the folks behind Rambo) will handle the film, with Stallone starring and directing. Since he’s intrinsically wired to both Rocky Balboa and John Rambo, it’s pretty likely he’ll cover writing duties as well.

More news on this film as it develops.

Everbody knows hoverboards don't work on water.

The incorrigible Mickey Rourke is currently midway through the filming of Jon Favreau’s Iron Man 2 and recently chatted about his character, the villainous Whiplash.

“I’m having the time of my life!” he enthused about joining the Iron Man franchise. “It’s been really brutal, because my Iron Man suit weighs 23lb. It’s sort of a half-suit, with half my skin showing, with lots of Russian tattoos, because [Whiplash is just] out of a Russian-zone prison.”

Since Rourke’s return from obscurity, courtesy of his gut-wrenching performance in The Wrestler, the man has been on a tear. Having finished filming on Stallone’s The Expendables, Rourke has been linked to Rambo V and St. Vincent in which he’ll play an assassin who returns to his old neighborhood in New York City to finish off an informant.

Iron Man 2 is due out May 7, 2010.

I must break you.

The more and more I read glorious nuggets of info from Stallone’s upcoming ensemble action-fiesta, The Expendables, the more I salivate. Dolph Lundgren, the king of direct-to-disc fare, chatted about his role in the film including divulging some key moments in the story like how his character,Gunnar Jensen, is recruited by a sinister CIA agent (Eric Roberts) to betray Stallone’s Barney Ross. Lundgren also mentions that his character fights Jet Lio’s Bao, which, is the epitome of “Holy crap, that’s the most awesome thing in the world.”

Lundgren still scares me. Ever since Rocky IV, I’ve been scared of large blonde men and giant logs. And Robert Tepper.

The Expendables also stars Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Steve Austin, and a cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The film is due out April 23, 2010.

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.