The Expendables Review

I'm from a time when action movie characters like Rambo, Dutch, Snake Plissken, John McClane, Nico Toscani, J.J. McQuade, Lt. Nikolai Rachenko, and Frank Dux were the superheroes of the ’80s. They were often portrayed by action stars such as Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Norris, Seagal, Van Damme, Lundgren, and Russell—actors who are now considered icons of the action genre from an era that many young people today can’t relate to. But for fans like me, their memory remains fresh and relevant.

In today’s world, many of these actors are either inactive, appearing in B-movies, engaged in politics, forgotten, or struggling to land roles in blockbuster films (except for Willis). I had no expectation of ever seeing them in theaters again—let alone together in a movie. I had once dreamed of watching Sly and Arnold share the screen in the ’80s or ’90s, but over time, I had given up on that dream. To me, their disappearance from the silver screen had marked the end of an era, much like the earlier fading of the stars my father used to watch in WWII and Western movies.

Then, I caught wind of an action film titled The Expendables, assembled by Stallone and promoted as a reunion of old-school action legends. This news immediately transported me back to my childhood dreams, filling me with excitement and disbelief. I began watching trailers, searching for information, and reading articles. To my astonishment, Stallone, Lundgren, Schwarzenegger, and Willis were all part of the same movie. Although some icons were missing, the reunion of what I liked to call the tri-legend-angle (Sly/Arnold/Willis) surpassed my wildest expectations. Adding to the thrill, the movie was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone himself!

When the movie premiered in theaters, I was there. Two hours later, I left with mixed feelings.

The Main Disappointment

The film wasn't what I had expected. Let’s address the biggest letdown: Willis and Arnold had minimal screen time. Their glorified cameos left me feeling deceived. Instead of a full-fledged reunion, the movie centered around Stallone and Statham (who isn’t one of the action legends of the ’80s) and featured a slew of wrestlers and newer B-movie action actors. The promised gathering of real action icons didn’t fully materialize.

In my opinion, Sly didn’t quite achieve what he could have. The movie was initially promoted as an ensemble of more action stars from the ’80s, yet it fell short in that regard. Aside from Arnold’s and Willis’ brief appearances, other rumored stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme, Wesley Snipes, and Kurt Russell were replaced by lesser-known names such as Steve Austin, Randy Couture, and Terry Crews.

Disappointed but still hopeful, I tried to view the film through a “throwback to old-school action” lens.

The Good News

The testosterone-fueled extravaganza I had been yearning for—the kind reminiscent of the good old days—was definitely there. The action and violence were immediate and satisfying, with the team fearlessly taking down villains. If you were craving blood, intense hand-to-hand combat, a barrage of bullets, and massive explosions, you wouldn’t be disappointed.

The fight scenes were brutal, packed with bone-breaking moves and splattering blood. They were well-executed, lengthy, and mostly clear to follow. The major action sequences—the South American escape, the car chase, and especially the flight out of the region—were thrilling. These moments were a treat for action enthusiasts. The finale delivered an over-the-top sequence, featuring gun battles, hand-to-hand combat, collapsing buildings, and rivers of fire—exactly what you’d hope for from a film like this.

The Story & Direction

The story was passable but could have been better written. Stallone’s direction felt somewhat stiff—perhaps due to stress, exhaustion, and his neck injury. However, his effort was undeniable.

The Cast & Performances

• Stallone was in his element, proving once again that he is a master of the genre. It was refreshing to see him outside the Rocky and Rambo franchises, returning to classic action after years of absence from non-Rambo roles.
• Statham delivered a solid performance. His unexpected chemistry with Sly was a pleasant surprise. While he is undoubtedly an action star, he is not from the same era as the others, and modern action movies lack the magic of the past.
• Li had limited screen time, but his fight scenes were well executed. Though he had little dialogue, he played a solid supporting role and remains an icon of martial arts cinema.
• Lundgren was impressive, but his character’s arc felt odd and ultimately unsatisfying—especially his reappearance at the end of the film. However, his fight with Li was awesome.
• Rourke made a brief yet impactful appearance.
• As mentioned earlier, the movie focused too much on the buddy dynamic between Sly and Statham, leaving the older legends in minor roles and the newer additions as filler.
• Couture, Austin, and Crews didn’t leave much of an impression on me. They felt like B-movie actors with no real place in a film meant to honor ’80s action stars.
• Eric Roberts delivered a respectable performance, but I never considered him an action icon, despite his ’80s presence.

Final Thoughts

Despite the disappointment of an incomplete reunion, The Expendables still deliveres a satisfying dose of action. It successfully evokes the spirit of ’80s and ’90s action movies at various points.

Could it have been better? Absolutely. But seeing Sly, Arnold, and Willis together, even briefly, was priceless. Hopefully, the film performs well at the box office, paving the way for a sequel that features a more comprehensive lineup of action legends.

Overall rating: 3/5