I Know Nobody Cares About The Expendables Franchise Anymore, But Here’s Why I Still Think The Expendables 2 Was The Peak When It Came To Action Movies

by

It seems to me, considering my age and experience, that no action film has matched the greatness of the original “The Expendables” since then.

To set the record straight, I must admit I spoke prematurely. Since my last review, another action-packed masterpiece has graced our screens – none other than “The Expendables 2“. Though I adore the John Wick series and stand proudly among Keanu Reeves’ few defenders (even of films like “47 Ronin”), something about those movies leaves me yearning for more.

What am I missing? Ah, that’s it! The grandeur of colossal explosions, the sheer spectacle of oversized muscles – and let me tell you, The Expendables 2 delivers on both counts in abundance!

As a fan of action movies from the Reagan era, when The Expendables series first appeared in 2010, it felt like paradise. However, I firmly believe that The Expendables 2 represents the pinnacle of the action genre for several reasons.

The Action In This One Is Genuinely Pulse-Pounding

Over the last three decades, action films have undergone significant changes. It all began much earlier with Bruce Willis starring in the Die Hard series, portraying an ordinary man named John McClane who found himself in extraordinary circumstances. Since then, the archetype of the action hero has transformed considerably.

Rather than watching traditional action films featuring towering heroes wielding immense firepower to massacre large numbers of individuals, contemporary cinema has shifted towards showcasing unconventional protagonists in high-stress scenarios. Characters such as Denzel Washington from the Equalizer series, Liam Neeson in the Taken movies, and Bob Odenkirk in Nobody exemplify this trend. Modern action films no longer provide the mindless entertainment with brainless action sequences that invite nothing more than a smile. Instead, they offer more thought-provoking action movies, rich in character development and intricate storylines.

Certainly! Unlike other films, The Expendables 2 isn’t subtle at all – and that’s a good thing! From the opening scene, it’s nothing but action-packed chaos. The characters are tasked with a rescue mission, but it’s clear that this is just an opportunity for these massive men to drive around in armored vehicles and blast anyone who dares move. In fact, there must have been at least 100 kills within the first three minutes, and it’s thrilling to watch.

Moreover, the entire film is characterized by this style. In comparison to the action sequences in all The Expendables movies, those in the second installment are exceptionally over-the-top. There’s not much emphasis on character growth; instead, it’s just men firing at other men, with plenty of explosions thrown in for good measure. Terrific!

JCVD Is Cool As A Hero, But He Plays An Even Better Villain

The main attraction of the Expendables films lies in resurrecting action legends from the past and placing them in current times. However, opinions might differ on which specific stars are picked for these movies, as the less potent (and PG-13-rated!) Expendables 3 included Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson, and Antonio Banderas – decent picks, but Kelsey Grammar? And Expend4bles brought in Megan Fox and 50 Cent!

Nevertheless, “Expendables 2” assembles some of the best action stars (GOATS), with Jean-Claude Van Damme being my top pick. It’s worth noting that I was raised on “Bloodsport”. “Kickboxer” is one of my all-time favorite films. Frankly, I even appreciated him in the critically panned 1994 “Street Fighter” movie. In every aspect, I hold JCVD dear to my heart.

It’s fantastic to see him in this movie, and I would have enjoyed having him as part of the Expendables team. However, that’s not the case. Instead, he heads a group of mercenaries, and he serves as the main adversary in the film, and oh boy, is he formidable!

One key point is that he fatally stabs Billy, the youngest member of The Expendables, portrayed by Liam Hemsworth, by thrusting a knife into his heart with a powerful kick! Moreover, he presents a legitimate danger throughout the entire movie and exudes an impressive coolness as a villain. In every aspect, Jean-Claude Van Damme delivers an outstanding performance as an antagonist, and his martial arts skills bring an exciting edge to this action-packed film.

The Pacing Is As Quick As They Come

To put it simply, interest in this movie series seems to have waned. Frankly, I found myself dozing off during the screening of The Expendables 3, and Expend4bles left me underwhelmed. It’s ironic, given their high-octane violence, but these films can be surprisingly dull at times.

In my opinion, the issue lies with the tempo of the movies. The first film was somewhat sluggish but had potential. Unfortunately, the third installment is overly drawn out, and the fourth one encounters its own setbacks. On the other hand, the second movie maintains a steady pace without any letup, which works to its advantage due to being densely packed with content. I believe this is primarily because it focuses on revenge, following Hemsworth’s character’s demise.

The tension escalates continually, and it’s not letting up. There’s also a time limit with the weapons-grade plutonium that Van Damme’s character is chasing after. What makes this movie compelling is that it never loses pace as new characters are introduced. In fact, the opposite happens; the introduction of new characters introduces another layer to the storyline.

Without a doubt, an excellent action movie like “The Expendables 2” should keep you on the edge of your seat, rushing towards its climax. Interestingly enough, this film manages to do that while featuring some of my all-time favorite action stars, which I’ll discuss in more detail shortly.

Schwarzenegger, Willis, And Stallone In One Movie? You Know It

In the first Expendables movie, there’s a remarkable scene where Schwarzenegger, Willis, and Stallone share the same room, creating an electric atmosphere. This encounter is reminiscent of when Freddy Krueger faced Jason Voorhees or when Robert De Niro and Al Pacino locked eyes in Michael Mann’s Heat. Essentially, it was a historic meeting of action legends.

In the first film, they mainly engaged in conversation, which was intriguing, but not quite what I, as a fan, yearned for. However, my wishes came true in “The Expendables 2,” where Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Willis were all united on the screen, taking down baddies in a thrilling, action-packed sequence.

2012 was when I first eagerly waited for this movie, and my fondness for it has only grown since then, particularly considering Bruce Willis’s recent health challenges. It’s always delightful to witness him in top form. The scene offers each of the three characters a chance to shine with an impressive moment, and their witty exchanges are among my favorites.

Without a doubt, this particular scene from the film (indeed, the whole series!) stands out as my absolute favorite. However, another sequence in it manages to seal The Expendables 2‘s place as one of the final outstanding action movies in my opinion.

Chuck Norris Is In This, Too, So It’s An ‘80s Action Fan’s Dream

Incorporating Chuck Norris into the film alongside Schwarzenegger, Willis, and Van Damme wasn’t strictly necessary, but given that it’s one of the final outstanding action movies, it seemed fitting to include him rather than exclude such a renowned figure.

Not only is his entry into the movie comically timed, but it’s also spectacularly executed. The Expendables find themselves under heavy fire, even facing a tank. However, in an instant, all the adversaries mysteriously fall, leaving Stallone’s character questioning who’s doing the shooting. In the ensuing chaos, as the smoke clears, none other than the legendary Chuck Norris emerges from the haze.

In a surprising twist, we’re treated to some “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”-esque tunes (as if we’ve just stepped onto a Sergio Leone set) and a Chuck Norris joke thrown in for good measure – about surviving a bite from a King Cobra, with the cobra meeting its end instead. It feels like they read our minds and tailored it exactly to our tastes.

What do you think? Do you also love The Expendables 2? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Read More

2025-07-30 01:09