The Expendables 2 once again gathers former and current action film stars (and some not-so action stars), Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Liam Hemsworth, and Nan Yu, placing them in a series of action scenes 1 hour and 42 minutes long, with little story between scenes, which are simply meant to set up the next action sequence. If one can manage to enjoy it for what it is, one will find epic action scene after great action scene after grand action scene, and good laughs that reflect the quirks of each character, such as Stallone’s, Schwarzenegger’s, and Willis’ ages, the stature of Jason Statham and Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren’s intelligence, Randy Couture’s ear, Nan Yu’s gender, and even Chuck Norris manages to tell his own Chuck Norris joke.
The story is centered around Barney Ross’ (Stallone) team taking on a mission from Church (Bruce Willis) under blackmail to get plans for a large source of plutonium in underground mines. When one of Ross’ team is murdered by Jean-Claude’s Sang, a colt of apparent Satanists, Ross’ team continues onward in their fallen member’s stead to avenge his death. A very simple story, meant for nothing more than to give reason for the action.
There are some very visible cosmetic flaws. The use of special effects for a helicopter, tank, hand-full of jeeps, and water tower are so obviously computer generated, the graphics would have been much more appropriate for a television series, which causes one to think with all these big stars, how could better CGI not been afforded, or why not use actual vehicles? Not to mention there is a fixed location scene thrown in. On location filming must have been outside of the budget, too. And not that there are award winning actors playing here, but some soap opera stars could have done just as well in a few moments.
In the end, though, as said above, if one can manage to simply be entertained by what is offered–action, which is done very well–the entertainment value is undeniable.
6/10
