After a long wait (about XXV years or so), I finally had the opportunity to watch the movie of my childhood dreams: The Expendables 2. Let me assure you right from the start that the extended wait was worthwhile. This movie triumphs on numerous levels where its predecessor fell short!
I should mention that I'm reviewing EX2 as an ardent fan of big-screen action movies from the '80s and '90s. While I will strive to remain as objective as possible, my viewpoint is likely more biased than that of a conventional film critic.
I. Action:
Action is the heart of the film. While there are moments without action, these interludes are well-paced to prevent boredom between the action sequences. The pacing isn't a rapid succession of events; instead, it balances moments of calm with bursts of action. The violence is substantial but not excessive—more in line with True Lies than Rambo, which aligns well with the movie's tone.
The action scenes are deftly shot and edited, standing tall among blockbuster movies. I must concede that Simon West outdid Stallone’s work in the first installment. The camera work is steady, and CGI distractions have been greatly reduced, marking a significant improvement from the original film.
Nonetheless, there was room for improvement. EX2 doesn't reach the pinnacle of action ecstasy, yet it offers a consistently good performance. Personally, I wouldn't have minded a few more action sequences or hand-to-hand combat scenes. It felt as though there was potential for much more, but it was cut somewhat short.
- Li's hand-to-hand combat scene was top-notch.
- Statham's knife fight was impressive.
- Statham vs. Adkins was solid but too brief; you yearned for more, particularly more of Adkins dominating the fight.
- Sly vs. JCVD didn’t quite attain the epicness Stallone had promised, but it was solid. I found it a tad short; it felt even shorter than Sly’s fight with Austin in EX1. The highlights of the fight were Van Damme’s signature 360-degree kicks. On the whole, this clash of titans was disappointing given the lengthy anticipation.
- Arnold’s presence is dependable, contributing to a respectable body count.
- Norris brings an exaggerated flair.
- Lundgren shines in the movie.
Action Rating: 4/5
II. Story:
In the lead-up to the premiere, I spoke with people who had seen the movie and read numerous reviews. Many indicated that the story was poor and too straightforward. Let me provide some context: the story was tailored for an Expendables movie. We’re here to see an ’80s-style Magnificent Seven. This isn’t meant to be The Usual Suspects, Seven, or Inception. It shouldn’t be, or else it would ruin the movie. So, let’s cut the story some slack.
I found it suitable for its intended purpose. It encapsulated bravery, vengeance, camaraderie, humor, and emotion—all the elements characteristic of classic action films from the past.
I must confess that I was pleasantly surprised by the humor. It induces laughter without transforming the movie into a comedy. The movie doesn't take itself too serious without degrading the gravity of its revenge-driven plot. While you’re not watching a parody, you still find yourself laughing.
Yes, certain characters make seemingly magical entrances without explanation, and some plot elements lack coherence. I’ve read reviews criticizing this aspect. However, in this movie, these issues are inconsequential; they’re well-handled, and you rarely question them amidst the intense action.
Story Rating: 3/5
III. Cast:
- Stallone’s performance is notably better than in the first film. He appears more at ease and entirely in his element, commanding the movie.
- Statham’s role is largely consistent with his portrayal in EX1—possibly with less screen time, yet he remains second in command. Statham is quintessentially Statham.
- Li is outstanding but regrettably given limited screen time; you wish there was more of him.
- Lundgren delivers perhaps the best performance, infusing humor and delivering strong lines.
- Norris is true to his reputation, offering some of the movie’s best lines. Each of his scenes is uproarious; his entrance is nothing short of epic, triggering crazy audience reactions.
- Van Damme’s portrayal as a villain is solid. Unfortunately, his screen time doesn’t enable him to showcase his full potential as he did in JCVD, but his performance is commendable. His 360-degree kicks made the audience go wild.
- Willis delivers as expected, with more screen time than in the first installment and the right balance.
- Arnold is in good form, as though he never left the big screen. His reception by the audience was second only to Norris’, and he enjoys more screen time this time.
- Hemsworth’s performance was a pleasant surprise. The young actor performs well and seamlessly integrates with the team, surpassing low expectations.
- While Yu Nan is a talented actress, I felt a tinge of disappointment. Her performance is solid, but she doesn’t gel with the ensemble. I anticipated a more captivating presence. Her role receives an inordinate amount of screen time for its significance, and I occasionally found myself wishing someone like Gina Carano had been cast instead.
- Crews and Couture are given more comedic lines, particularly Crews, who is very funny this time around.
Cast Rating: 4/5
In Conclusion:
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the film, had a wonderful time, and plan to watch it again. While not perfect, it was good enough for me. My primary wish was for the movie to be longer, as time seemed to fly by.
For me, it hits most of the the mark, and I don’t necessarily need a third movie. They can stop here; EX3 would be a bonus.
The movie provided exactly what I was looking for—the reunion of my childhood idols, a hearty dose of action, well-enough-directed and edited scenes, and equitable screen time for the action legends. The spectacle of Sly, Arnold, and Willis firing their guns side by side was truly priceless.
Devout fans won’t be let down; as for others, well, they can go watch Batman!
