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Ahhhhhh yes. Once again I stand as the minority as the newly released Expendables has bombed at the box office while reviews from both critics (seriously, most of these people don’t get these types of movies) and fans alike have been harsh. Even I have taken hits for my review of the film as it was positive. A factor of me once again liking a so called bad movie. Seriously, what makes a bad movie because I laugh when people come at me saying this is the worse movie ever made. Yeah, right.
I understand that the fourth outing for the Mercs failed to deliver epicness on every scale but I feel any entry in this outing is doomed because fans have a preconceived notion of what they want. One aspect is to have 90’s DTV stars play a role and while that would be cool, it hasn’t happened. I would love to see Bernhardt, Rothrock, Wincott and more step into the series but alas it hasn’t. Even so, this is one of my favorite action franchises and if this is indeed the last one, we’ll then I have four movies to revisit often on my 86 inch screen with Roku sound bar.
Jason Statham, who stars as Lee Christmas, the knife expert of the group and resident international action star has spoken about the film and most notably the smaller role of series lead Sylvester Stallone. This is the biggest problem of the fourth film as Sly is limited in screen time although that plays into the plot. Fans have cried foul though but it has been known that Stallone is stepping away from the franchise and has passed the baton over to The Stath who is front and center in this one. Sure the other stars have their moments but it’s Statham who takes it on his shoulders delivering the action as if this was a solo affair.
In a recent interview with Cinema Express, Statham talks about the absence of Stallone and how it’s involved in the plot.
“In this particular story, he is absent for reasons we don’t talk about, we have to guide ourselves through the ocean without him. There is something about not having him around that doesn’t feel right. So, we are getting through, the story is the story, we are trying to do our best, but the best days are when he is on set,” Statham stated.
I actually liked the idea of Barney’s crew having to find their way without their leader and I thought it made Christmas’ character arc even more prominent as he has to rise to the occasion and take the reigns of helping his comrades and achieve mission success. But what do I know. Also, I’m a huge fan of Statham so I loved seeing him go to work especially in the last third of the movie where he goes full on kill mode along with Tony Jaa. That sequence right there was worth watching the movie alone. Again, what the hell do I know.
Statham also expresses how The Expendables movies should be received and what type of movies they are. I agree 100% with his opinion by the way.
“Expendables is a franchise where you come to have your coke and your popcorn, enjoy yourself. You are looking at thrills, heart and also laughs. That is the triple threat of Expendables and I feel we have been able to establish the fun factor in this movie, when you get to laugh, get to be on the end of your seat, but you also get to be rooting for these characters.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. While watching this fourth flick, I had fun and the action, while not John Wick caliber, is still first rate and aside from some quick close ups here and there during the adrenal moments, it was shot just fine as to see what was happening in and Andy Ng’s action choreography with the famous Jackie Chan stunt team was on full display.
Statham’s fight with Iko Uwais was solid as well. It was a little too short for my tastes but at least it was longer then the Statham vs Scott Adkins brawl we got in number two. This film also utilized the talents of Jaa and Uwais as well and even though Lundgren and Couture were used less they still had their moments. In an ensemble affair, there’s always going to be those that take a back seat to others and here, director Scott Waugh uses his strengths which are Statham, Jaa and Uwais.
I’m not going to get into the hate for Scott Waugh here. That’s a subject for another time. I think he’s a substantial talent in the field and the criticism he’s received is completely unwarranted. Once again, an argument for another time.
Anyway you look at it, the worldwide gross will figure into whether or not we get any more but the decades long layoff definitely played a factor in the dismal box office numbers in North America so far. It also didn’t help that the stars couldn’t promote the movie due to the ongoing actors strike. There was basically no press for this movie at all.
Once I’m settled into my new home in Panama City Beach and have acclimated to my new surroundings, I’m going to do a podcast on this movie and offer up why it’s not the disaster that everyone is saying it is. Once again, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure when it comes to opinions. That’s what makes the human race great. We are entitled to love or hate what we want. And I’m that regard, I’m on the positive spectrum of this movie. Im going yo watch it again and serve up more details on why I dig Expend4bles. Sue me.
More to come so Lock N Load right here as we are your Action Fix!
