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It’s been nearly ten years in the making but Stallone and his crew have finally made a triumphant return to the big screen in Expend4bles, the fourth and probably last entry in the blockbuster ultra-action franchise. Opening night tonight was a surreal experience as I can’t tell you how many times Sly teased another installment after the dismal performance of number 3 (once again, I don’t have a problem with that one so sue me).
The fourth outing to some saw a light representation of action stars to assemble this time around and I’m not going to lie, Arnie and Bruce are surely missing from this one but there’s enough testosterone in this cast once again. Seriously, this movie has Stallone, Statham, Lundgren, Couture, Jaa and Uwais in the lineup and that right there is enough for me. Plus we get the added benefit of the great Andy Garcia, who I love BTW, as the new CIA leader who assembles the crack team of mercs for their most personal mission yet. Adding Megan Fox and 50 Cent will definitely be hit or miss for many but I was fine with what they had to offer.
Let me first say that I was able to see Expend4bles in 4DX at the Regal Cinemas in Panama City and I must tell you that it was truly one awe inspiring way to view the movie as it essentially immersed you into the action. Think of it as one of those cinematic rides at a theme park where you not only have a huge, amazing screen to view it but there’s so much more to it. The gunfire, explosions and fisticuffs were elevated by all the bells and whistles the audience experienced during the running time with motion activated seats and special effects. Let me be honest, even without all this, Expend4bles would still be one of my top 2023 faves even though I know I’ll be in the minority.
First of all, let’s talk plot and that’s one of the film’s minor weaknesses as it’s standard action fare. It’s basically Statham and company going up against Iko Uwais and his army of fanatics as Uwais, who plays Rhamat, wants nuclear triggers to activate a warhead and basically start WWIII. There’s nothing groundbreaking here but I could have given two shits as the synopsis is but a means to watch some of your favorite action stars kick ass and take names for an hour and 43 minutes.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room shall we. In other words, how much of a role does Stallone play here and what happens to him. For the latter, there will be no spoilers here as you’ll have to support the movie and see it for yourself. Now in regards to the aforementioned, Sly does make sure he contributes his iconic action status to the amount of screen time he has and unfortunately, one of the best elements to the series suffers as I felt the chemistry between Stallone and Statham was one of the best things and one of the biggest selling points besides the carnage on display in the franchise. I’ll let you decide for yourself if you like his fate but this is clearly Statham’s show as the British action star gets all the heroic moments just like in one of his own movies he’s headlined without the stellar action ensemble supporting cast. No worries though as everyone gets more than their chance to shine.
The action set pieces are well played here and if they cut the budget on this one, it doesn’t show (except for some dodgy CGI here and there) as fans will be treated to some of the franchise’s best high-octane sequences to date. This is all courtesy of director Scott Waugh (Hidden Strike, Act of Valor). Waugh is another former stunt professional who has turned filmmaker and once again, he sells the excuse that stunt pros make the best action directors as they know how to shoot and frame the mayhem.
Waugh knows what the fans want and he gives it to them in spades with blistering fight choreography courtesy of Alan Ng and the famous Jackie Chan Stunt Team and Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais are finally in a western action movie that utilizes their jaw dropping talents when it comes to throwing down with style. The fights and action on this one have a welcoming Asian Action Cinema tinge to it which elevates the beatdowns to a whole new level.
Let’s talk new blood. For the good guys, we have Megan Fox as Gina, Jacob Scipio as Galan, 50 Cent as Easy Day, Levy Tran as Lash, and the always spot on Andy Garcia as Marsh. Fox holds her own in the action sequences and looks and continues her impressive fighting prowess which she demonstrated in Rogue. Say what you will about her in real life but Fox is winning me over when it comes to on screen heroines. Scipio impressed me in Bad Boys for Life and here he plays the son of Antonio Banderas’s character of Galgo and although his character is a tad over the top, I found myself laughing at some of his moments as he channeled Banderas brilliantly. He might be an acquired taste for some but he fell right in with the heavyweights.
50 Cent is no stranger to acting or action and as Easy Day (love that name), he breaks out the heavy artillery as much as he’s allowed to and he does have some playful banter with the other members. Levy Tran brings the Asian aesthetic to the group and she has some impressive moments at the end although she’s probably the one that’s underutilized the most. Andy Garcia is, well, Andy Garcia and he brings with him the gravitas and rock solid dramatic chops to the proceedings and even though there’s a twist to his character I saw coming a mile away, he brings some Hollywood cred to this 90’s style action flick.
The biggest additions are, of course Tony Jaa as Decha and Iko Uwais as the big bad heavy Rahmat. Jaa is limited in screen time but I liked how his character was a former comrade of Barney and he gets to use his Muay Thai skills to full effect in the finale. One standout sequence sees him taking out enemy combatants alongside Statham and I couldn’t help but smile as I feel that this was a homage to the failed movie project High Value Target that the two were supposed to star in together. That movie was to take place on a vessel just like this one so to finally see these two fight side by side is a real treat. It’s tactical precision fight choreography with two of the best tearing it up together.
As Rahmat, Uwais is clearly having fun playing the villain and besides Van Damme in the second film, he’s the most formidable opponent to date. He’s a complete psychopath and has no problem killing anyone including children. His showdown with Statham in the last act, although short, is still worth the price of admission alone as the two get to let loose on each other with Statham using his patented knives and Uwais using some rad bladed tonfas. The fight has a distinct Hong Kong flavor to it and it’s Statham’s best sequence in the franchise by far.
Another action highlight include Statham’s Christmas tearing through the ship on a souped up motorcycle that is armed with front machine guns. This will definitely make you think of past action movies like Megaforce and The Delta Force and if you’re a fan of both, you’ll get the reference. This scene is clearly the reason why these movies are made for action fans.
Unfortunately, I did feel that they chickened out once again when it comes to the name Expendables as there’s once again no real danger for any of the stars dying. There’s injuries for sure but there’s no real sense of forbidding as you know everything will turn out alright. This is again a minor gripe.
This franchise since it’s creation has been one huge love letter to action fans and the glory days of action cinema. Are they perfect? Hell no and this one is my least favorite but as a whole, I’m a fan. They sure are fun and every time I watch them, they remind me of a time when traditional action movies, you know the ones with practical stunts and effects made bank at the box office. The Expendables movies are an excuse to turn your brain off for 90 plus minutes and watch action stars, old and new tear shit up and assemble massive explosions, firepower and fisticuffs for one adrenaline pumping ride. The fourth movie is no exception even if it’s probably the least favorite but that’s not a bad thing as this one still does what it’s supposed to do.
Overall, Expend4bles is a return to violent form for the action franchise with Stallone taking a back seat to let Statham take charge and take charge he does. These movies are just plain nostalgia and fun and anyone who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s will have a blast with it all. There will be those who will complain about something but if you love action movies then you’ll get what this is selling.
It’s violence galore with some gnarly kills and this movie utilizes Jaa and Uwais as much as possible giving them enough to do in the ensemble affair. Everyone gets their moment and the finale is an extended action sequence with bullets, blood and expertly choreographed fight scenes that deliver a Hong Kong vibe that is different from the other movies.
Stallone created The Expendables for action movie lovers and it’s those that will walk out of the theater with fists pumping as this fourth outing is another round of throwback style brutality and bravado that is sorely missed from today’s action movies.
VERDICT: 3.5 Out of 5 Stars
ACTION-FLIX APPROVED
Expend4bles is sheer violent throwback action with enough fan service that reminds us why we love these movies.
