THE EXPENDABLES 2

EXPENDABLES 2

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres today from director Simon West along with writers Sylvester Stallone and Richard Went is the return of EXPENDABLES 2.

This film tells the story of Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) and his group that consists of Christmas (Jason Stratham), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), Hale Ceasar (Terry Crews), Toll Road (Randy Couture), and newcomer Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth).

Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) calls on the men once again to make things even between them when Vilain (Jean-Claude Van Damme) is on the rampage. Church tells Barney he must team up with Maggie (Nan Yu) to get the job done. When the mission takes a turn, Barney calls all bets off and the Expendables go after Vilain on their own.

The gang must stop Vilain from getting his hands on weapons grade plutonium and, as Barney says, “its time to trace em’, find em’ and kill em’”.

FINAL WORD: Stallone is – well – Stallone. I have to say it does look like he’s having a great time and why shouldn’t he? At his age anytime you get to fly a plane, shoot big guns, smoke cigars and hang out with the guys AND get paid for it what’s stopping him right?

Stratham is just so darn cute it’s hard to find any fault with him. Once an Olympian now action hero isn’t too shabby of a life. Lundgren received a few more lines this time and a bit more face time too.

Crews is still buffed as all get out and a smart ass, Couture is a little more quiet this time out and Jet makes an early exit. Schwarzenegger finally got to say all the things he has probably ever wanted to say cliché wise and Van Damme finally gets to be an evil little man with large knife issues.

Yu as Maggie handled herself well enough around a tough group of men-folk. Willis is always fun to watch with his cool, calm and collected demeanor – even when he’s shooting a big-loud-ridiculous gun!

Other cast include: Scott Adkins as Hector, Charisma Carpenter as Lacy, Jet Li as Ying Yang, Chuck Norris as Booker, and Arnold Schwarzenneger as Trench.

TUBS OF POPCORN:  I give THE EXPENDABLES 2 three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. Seriously folks, this is just a good time at the movies. This is the time where you get that HUGE bucket of popcorn for two, a bladder buster drink and maybe a box of candy and have a great time.

I shouldn’t have to say this but for those who don’t know this is an extremely violent film filled with stuff (and people) flying around. Now that I’ve said it – it’s still a fun time. For the guys its every film action hero getting to be a bad ass again and for women it’s a little muscle, a little eye candy and a reason to go rogue yelling at the screen.

Stallone at this years Comic Con said about his cast mates, “I mean these are guys I’ve seen in the movies and now we are together. We pulled off something remarkable and I’m surprised we didn’t shoot each other’s heads off. This turned out to be a real experiment in faith and dealing with guys who have different styles. They come together with Chuck Norris and it’s really quite amazing. I think you are in for a tremendous ride.”   

That’s an understatement if I ever heard one Stallone!

In the end – they are back for war!