Expendables 3

 

Expendables 3 is an action adventure film that follows Barney Ross reprised by Sylvester Stallone as he assembles a new team of Expendables to take down Conrad Stonebanks played by Mel Gibson, a former Expendable who has become a ruthless arms dealer. The new team includes younger, more tech-savvy members like Luna played by Ronda Rousey and Thorn played by Glen Powell.

Similar to prior scripts it was loaded with a lot of self-deprecating jokes but not much substance. One of the film's biggest problems was its predictable plot. It's clear from the start how the film was going to end, and there were no real surprises along the way. Additionally, the film's use of Spanish-style music whenever Galgo, played by Antonio Banderas, was on screen was kind of offensive.

The film's action sequences were well-choreographed and exciting, but they were also gratuitous and over-the-top.

The film's makeup was terrible. The blood placement was inconsistent, and the wounds looked fake. However I did appreciate that the terrible mustache that Stallone rocked in The Expendables 2 was gone.

The casting once again proved to be a safe haven for actors who had fallen from grace with Mel Gibson and Wesley Snipes added to the ensemble. I didn't really feel like their casting was needed but I did appreciate how some of their prior indiscretions were also written into the script. As for the rest of the casting, Banderas was fun to watch as Galgo. He played a Croatian war veteran and former member of the Spanish Armed Forces. He was an expert sharpshooter who brought some levity to the overly serious, heavily testosterone infused cast. You could tell this was Ronda Rousey’s first movie. As Luna she was stiff and lacked any sort of range with her permanent pouty face. It was nice however just to see a leading woman who could take care of herself. Seeing Glen Powell as Thorn in one of his early performances was also interesting. You could see how much he’s grown from this performance to his more well-known performances in Top Gun: Maverick and Devotion. And Kellen Lutz as Smilee was also a surprise. This role wasn't a memorable nor did he bring as much charisma as he did in his breakout role from Twilight. 

In the end, The Expendables 3 was a mindless action movie that's only worth watching if you're a fan of the franchise. However, don't expect anything groundbreaking.

Expendables 2

 

The Expendables 2 is a 2012 action film directed by Simon West and written by Sylvester Stallone, David Agosto, and Ken Kaufman. It is the sequel to the 2010 film The Expendables and stars Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Liam Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, and Bruce Willis. The film follows the Expendables, a team of aging mercenaries, hired to complete a mission that goes wrong, leading them into a conflict with a ruthless arms dealer.

The story was interesting however, the film's execution is poor. It was full of clichés and plot holes. The script was worse than the original. The dialogue at times was poorly written. The characters constantly crack jokes and one-liners, even in the middle of serious situations. This made the film feel cheesy and undermined the drama. Even though some of the lines were ill timed I did appreciate a couple of lines that were more self-deprecating or where they were in on the joke of how ridiculous it was that men in their late 50s and 60s were action heroes, which made it a bit more tolerable.

This casting was the first time I saw how Stallone or the director West, bring in a lot of actors who had once fallen from grace and are in a sense giving them a second chance (Jean-Claude Van Damme as Vilain, Chuck Norris as Booker). Neither of the characters however were very impressive or memorable. Additionally the cast makeup was lacking, especially the terrible mustache on Stallone.

The action sequences were often unrealistic and over-the-top. The last fight sequence in particular was unnecessary and the accompanied dialogue was painful.

In the end, The Expendables 2 was a disappointing sequel to the 2010 film. It suffered from a weak script, over-the-top action sequences, and some truly terrible dialogue. It is a film that is best avoided by all but the most die-hard fans of this franchise.

The Expendables

The Expendables, is an action adventure film directed by Sylvester Stallone. The film followed Barney Ross (Stallone) and his team of mercenaries who were hired to eliminate a ruthless dictator and a renegade CIA agent.

The story itself was rather predictable and lacked the twists and turns that would have made it truly engaging. The motivations of the characters were often unclear, and the plot relied heavily on clichés and stereotypes.

I was expecting more from the action scenes, with a talent like Jet Li on the roster, but he unfortunately couldn’t carry this flop on his own. It was a bit comical seeing Stallone trying to play a guy he’s no longer. The character he created was supposed to have a lot more athleticism than he actually had. At times it was painful watching him run. In general these scenes often felt repetitive and lacked the creativity and choreography that fans of the genre have come to expect.

The thought to bring together an ensemble cast of older action stars from the 80s, 90s and 2000s for a thrilling ride of explosions, gunfights, and one-liners was an interesting and inclusive idea. There were some moments of fun and nostalgia for fans of action cinema with Stallone and Dolph Lundgren, being able to bring a sense of gravitas to their roles. However, the film's over-reliance on testosterone and underdeveloped characters ultimately detracted from its potential. One of the film's most glaring flaws was its lack of strong female characters. The damsel-in-distress trope was overplayed, and the few female roles that did exist were largely one-dimensional. While the addition of actors like Jet Li and Terry Crews added some diversity to the cast, their roles were more caricatures than actual fully formed people. Down to the offensive name for Li’s character.

Ultimately, The Expendables is a film that is more style than substance. While the film's over-the-top action sequences are sure to please fans of the genre, it falls short in terms of character development, story, and female representation.

Dances with Wolves

 

Dances with Wolves, is a western directed by and starring Kevin Costner. Set against the backdrop of the American West, the film follows a disillusioned Civil War soldier who seeks solace among the Lakota Sioux tribe.

There was strong character development throughout. You really connect and want to root for the members of the tribe, especially Graham Greene who played Kicking Bird, Rodney A. Grant who played Wind In His Hair and Mary McDonnell who played Stands With A Fist. They were all fully formed and likeable characters. You also connect with the wolf, Two Socks, who symbolized the Sioux culture. Costner was a stand out. He gave a masterful portrayal of Lieutenant John Dunbar, a man haunted by the horrors of war, who finds a new purpose in embracing the Lakota way of life. As he learns their language, customs, and traditions, Dunbar develops a deep respect for their culture and forms lasting bonds with the tribe members.

The film's plot is a nice blend of action, humor, and poignant introspection. Despite its considerable runtime of over three hours, Dances with Wolves maintains a captivating pace, drawing viewers into Dunbar's transformative experiences.

This film came out over 30 years ago but still holds up visually. It masterfully captured the breathtaking landscapes of the Great Plains with sweeping cinematography and stunning natural light. The meticulous attention to detail in recreating the Lakota culture further enhances the film's authenticity and immersive quality.

One of the things I appreciated about Dances with Wolves is that it challenged conventional Hollywood narratives by presenting a nuanced portrayal of Native Americans, moving away from the stereotypical depictions that had long dominated the Western genre. The film celebrated the Lakota culture's rich traditions and spirituality, offering a profound exploration of cultural understanding.

At its core, Dances with Wolves takes viewers on an epic journey of self-discovery, cultural immersion, and the profound impact of human connection. Dunbar's journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of human connection and the ability to find peace amidst conflict and loss. It is a story of redemption and hope. In the end, the film's enduring legacy lies in its ability to inspire audiences to question their own perspectives and embrace the richness and diversity of human cultures.

The Equalizer 3

 

The Equalizer 3 is the final film in the action packed revenge thriller trilogy. It follows Robert McCall, a former government assassin, reprised by Denzel Washington, who now uses his skills to help those in need. This time around, McCall is living in Southern Italy, where he has found some peace and quiet. But when he discovers that his friends are under the control of local crime bosses, he must step in to protect them.

The film does a great job of balancing action, suspense, and drama. The action sequences are well-choreographed and exciting. Additionally, the film also features some nice twists and turns.

Washington is once again superb as McCall, he brings the intensity of the originals along with a sensitivity and kindness. He is supported by a strong cast that includes Dakota Fanning and Eugenio Mastrandrea. It was nice seeing the reunion of Fanning and Washington from the 2004 classic Man on Fire. It was also great to see Mastrandrea in a different role since his breakout in the Netflix drama miniseries From Scratch. They were both likable and had a descent amount of range.

One minor criticism is that McCall doesn't really face enough adversity in the film. He just blows through his enemies like they're nothing. Similar to those familiar with The Power Rangers tv show where the heroes easily defeat the Putties. It would have been nice to see him tested a bit more.

Overall, The Equalizer 3 is a great way to end the trilogy. It is a clever full-circle film that brings the franchise to a satisfying conclusion. It is well-made and entertaining with great acting and action sequences. I highly recommend it to fans of the previous films, as well as anyone who enjoys a good action thriller.