1. OVERVIEW
Expendables is an action filled movie, characterizing a group of rogue specialists who work for themselves as a vigilante group of men, these men in todays layman terms can be called as free lancers, who do impossible jobs involving assassinations or destruction of an evil plan set up by a dictator of sorts.
These men are prepared with their ammunitions and amazing fighting skills, they are able to take down a whole entire army just by using their ability to understand the environment and adapt to the situation, the team is made of six people and one leader who tells them about which missions they have available.
Of the six of them, the first one is the leader of the group, the second one is a guy who can use blades and throwing knives, the third member is an Asian who knows martial arts, the fourth member of the team is the muscle of the group ,the fifth member is a gun man who knows everything about guns and bombs, and the sixth is an ex military army man.
In this movie the team chooses a mission which includes going to an island called Vilena and then removing the army rule their by killing the commander, the island is completely overcome by the dictator commander and this movie shows how the expendables deal with this situation.
2. CHARACTERS
Barney Ross played by the one and only Sylvester Stallone is the one who abides by justice and he is the kind of a person who doesn't get sleep when he knows there is injustice or there is someone in pain which he could have prevented. He is great with handling the team and managing the team such that there is as much less quarrel between them as possible. He is great during the cowboy showdown type situations as he is great with his pistol and doesn't not miss his target.
There is a sense of selflessness in him that the viewers would really look up to and one his qualities that people cherish about him. Sometimes he does things in his own out of his own will and the team members support him in any way possible and get him out of any situation and this is the kind of leader that an explicable team deserves.
Lee Christmas played by none other than Jason Statham is the Blade specialist, he has great aim and can throw daggers and throwing knives at great speeds and great accuracy, he never misses his targets, his skill set works great for an assassination type of a mission since the knives don't make as much noise and its a silent weapon. He is a nice guy overall and believes in justice and is a man with kind heart and trust.
Tool played by Mickey Rourke is the leader of the Expendables squad and he is one of the ex members of the squad itself, he doesn't attend the missions because of a horrific past that haunts him everyday. He assigns missions to the squad as well as takes care of the mental well-being of the squad. He is a tattoo artist on the side which adds the extra element of goth and punkish vibe to him.
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Yin Yang played by Jet Li is the Asian in the group, he is an amazing martial artist and can physically take down each of the team members on his own, he is good with his fighting skills and his ability to use the environment on his favor. He assumes the team is not in his favor cause he is an Asian and that he is so short, everyone in the team makes fun of this fact and this adds the extra bit of humor in the movie.
Gunner played by Dolph Lundgren in the movie struggles with anger management and temper-related challenges, this character struggles to control his emotions, leading to heated conflicts and impulsive decisions. The inclusion of such a character adds a layer of tension and volatility to the narrative, potentially influencing the relationships and events within the movie.
3. CINEMATIC APPEAL
The movie is characterized by an intense plot involving a lot of unwanted and unexpected gore and violence. These scenes include the intense combat, fights, or confrontations that are visually explicit and showcase the brutality of the story.
The inclusion of such graphic scenes adds the element of shock, flinch and rawness to the narrative, appealing to audiences seeking an adrenaline-fueled viewing experience, some viewers would find this part of the movie really exciting.
The movie is action-packed, featuring numerous sequences involving intense action and thrilling chases. These scenes are meticulously choreographed and filmed to captivate the audience, showcasing a blend of physical combat, stunts, and fast-paced pursuits, as well as making the best use of the environment. The use of dynamic action sequences enhances the overall excitement and energy of the movie.
4. PERSONAL OPINION
The movie features a diverse array of characters, each with their own set of principles or beliefs and each of them having their own but of inside jokes which adds the element of whimsy. Some characters adhere to a moral or ethical code, guiding their actions and decisions, while others may lack such principles and operate based on personal motivations or survival instincts.
The diversity in character values contributes to the complexity of the story and influences the interactions and conflicts within the movie, since the principles of one might coincidence with the other and that's when they work together and make impossible happen or at times when they go against each other and that leads to a world of pain for the entire team.
A prominent theme in the movie is the betrayal of comrades or allies. The trust between the members of the team is broken and the balance of the team is at stake, the characters face betrayal from those they consider close or on the same side.
The betrayal element introduces internal conflict, emotional turmoil, and moral dilemmas- which pretty much questions if people actually deserve a second chance when the things they have done is of utmost horrifying kind. This deepens the plot and character development, potentially driving the story in unexpected directions.
The movie prides itself on defying predictability. It keeps the audience on the edge of their seats by incorporating unexpected plot twists and turns that deviate from conventional storylines. The unpredictability engages the viewers, challenging their expectations and delivering a unique and surprising viewing experience, the intercrossing of different plot lines and different relations between the characters in the movie adds to the unpredictability.
Beyond the main characters, the movie introduces third-party elements that disrupt the anticipated narrative flow, this part of the movie is completely unexpected and very surprising. These unexpected twists could come from external forces, unforeseen alliances, or hidden agendas, throwing the characters and audience off balance and intensifying the story's intrigue and suspense.
5. CONCLUSION
The movie features a cast of physically imposing characters, often referred to as "buff dudes." Their imposing presence aligns with the high level of action showcased throughout the film. This abundance of action scenes, of high quality and intensity, ensures that the movie lives up to the expectations of action enthusiasts, providing a visually exhilarating experience.
I would give this movie a rating of 3.5/5. I feel the need for a bit of backstory to better understand the characters and the overarching situation. A lack of adequate background information can leave viewers wanting more context, particularly regarding the characters' motivations, past experiences, and the overall setting. A well-developed backstory enhances character depth and enriches the storytelling.
At times the movie looks like a piece of a bigger movie where only the best action parts were cut and made into a new movie, just because of the fact that there is no pre or post parts of the movie properly explained.