The Expendables-Check Your Brain at the Door

The Expendables (2010): Co-written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, The Expendables is a brainless over the top action filled blood bath.  The cast consists of a who’s who of 1980’s and 90’s action stars, including Jason Statham, Jet Li, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke & Stone Cold Steve Austin.  The basic premise is a group of elite mercenaries have been hired to help overthrow General Garza, the brutal Latin dictator of the fictional island of Vilena.  During a reconnaissance mission, it is discovered that Garza is being backed by an Ex-C.I.A. agent who is trying to use the island to grow and produce cocaine.  Along the way, Stallone’s character falls for the daughter of the dictator, a lot of stuff gets blown up, and ton of guts and blood are spilled capped off by a scene where one guy gets his head chopped off and his buddy has the knife shoved through his throat.

The script is bad; the acting is horrible at times (with Stallone being by far the worst of the bunch).  But if you are considering watching The Expendables, you certainly aren’t picking it because of its Oscar potential.  This is an adrenalin pumping action film through and through.  At times the action is so crazy that it feels like you’re watching scenes from The Matrix more the Expendables.  But, I will say that if you can check your brain at the door, and are in the mood for pure bloody violence, you might be entertained enough by The Expendables to make it worth your time.  (** Stars)